Addiction in Florida

addiction floridaFlorida is known for its tourist destinations: Disney World, the Everglades, Miami Beach and Margaritaville. But a less talked about Florida trend is its addiction statistics, which have been on the rise since 2009. Florida’s leisurely qualities, vacation accommodations, liberal law enforcement and wealth make it a breeding ground for addiction and substance abuse problems.

The picturesque sunsets and pristine beaches of Florida make it easy to see why people come travel there the world over to relax. The climate is temperate and there is plenty of sunshine. Florida is essentially a vacation and tourism driven economy, which attracts travelers, partiers and snowbirds who are supplied ample amounts of any intoxicating substance or activity they choose to enjoy. Because all the vices of a carefree lifestyle are so readily available, those who stay there for an extended period of time cannot escape it, and many fall victim to addiction.

Florida also has a reputation for having loose law enforcement, which lets the availability of said substances thrive. The State of Florida is sometimes accused of not penalizing or targeting drug dealers and suppliers, but rather turning a blind eye and letting the party atmosphere run rampant and out of control. This negligence on the part of the state’s law enforcement division contributes to the problem of addiction by not keeping better regulations on addictive substances.

Addiction is found in every state and nation state on the planet; Florida is hardly alone in its addiction statistics. But universally, the best thing we can do to help a culture that is afflicted with addiction is to carefully regulate or outlaw addictive substances and activities, make information on addiction readly available and offer addiction treatment services to those who struggle with this condition. Florida should be known for its natural beauty and its therapeutic atmosphere, not for its addiction epidemic.

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