Savannah Treatment Centers

Savannah, GA, is a beautiful part of this country, and an embodiment of what people consider "The South" to look like. However, while picturesque and beautiful, it has some serous problems as well. One of the most serious issues at present is that of substance abuse. One way in which the city has sought to address this is by the implementation of the Savannah-Chatham County Drug Court. This court has been recognized nationally for its excellence, serving as a model for other drug courts across the nation.

That being said, the drug court is a reactive response to a problem, and Savannah is committed to also being proactive. While it is incredibly important that people who have fallen victim to the disease of addiction are given the treatment that they need, it is equally important that efforts are in place to stop people from becoming addicted to a drug or alcohol in the first place. In order to develop proper intervention programs, Savannah officials first needed to understand the scope of the problem.

Statistics on Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Savannah

Research has demonstrated that:

• 97% of people know someone in Savannah who uses cannabis.
• 66% of people believe cannabis should be available for medicinal purposes.
• 42% of people who admit to using substances started between the ages of 18 and 25.
• 52% of people believe it is easy to access cocaine in Savannah.
• 89% of people believe there is a growing concern with meth use.
• 90% of people believe there is a growing problem with non-medical use of prescription drugs in Savannah.
• 86% of people believe more money should be invested in proper detox and rehab facilities to address the problem.
• 52,478 Savannah residents are classed as drinking alcohol to problematic levels.
• 20,335 people in Savannah currently abuse illicit substances, of which 3,213 also consume alcohol.
• The greatest drug concerns include cannabis (3,071 users), heroin (2,583 users), crack and powder cocaine (2,440 users), and stimulants (1,566 users).

Addressing the Problem in Savannah

Savannah is listening to its population and investing heavily in making detox and rehab treatment more available, removing barriers to access. These barriers include finances, lack of knowledge, and poor intervention efforts. The facilities that are available include inpatient and outpatient facilities, and the recommendation is for people to attend inpatient centers, preferably for a period of 90 days. Following completion of their rehab treatment, aftercare programs have also been put in place. These aim to reduce the rates of relapse, by continuing to support people through counseling, therapy, 12 step programs, sober living facilities, and self-help groups.

At the same time, Savannah wants to make sure that people do not turn to drugs in the first place. They are targeting young people in particular with this. Various efforts and strategies have been implemented to ensure that young people are aware of the dangers of substance abuse, and also that they know of alternatives that are healthier and will increase their overall happiness.