Hampton Treatment Centers

Hampton, VA, has recently been designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). When a city receives this designation, it is entitled to increased resources, as well as information sharing between different law enforcement agencies, in order to combat the problem.

Unfortunately, Hampton is known to be a location for distribution, important, manufacturing, and production of various illegal substances. These include marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Heroin and crack cocaine are particularly worrisome because they have caused numerous deaths. To provide a solution to such problems, HIDTA funds will be used to create intervention systems to give affected people easier access to detox and rehab treatment, and also to prevent substance abuse in the first place.

Issues to Be Addressed with HIDTA Funding

Hampton faces similar drug and alcohol problems as other parts of the country. These include alcohol abuse being a precursor for illicit drug use, easy access to illegal substances, and prescription painkiller abuse. And, as in other parts of the country, efforts are being made to combat "pill mills", which have unfortunately resulted in more people turning to heroin, which is easier to get and cheaper than other drugs.

Hampton is also home to three more particular problems that need to be addressed. These are:

1. Alcohol and drug abuse among teens and young people.
2. Alcohol and drug abuse among veterans.
3. Alcohol and drug abuse among those who are incarcerated.

To address these issues, Hampton is putting in place a number of community initiatives to educate people about the risks and dangers of substance abuse. It is hoped that these will prevent problems in the future. Additionally, there has been significant investment in treatment centers. Inpatient and outpatient treatment facilities both exist, where people can access both detox and rehab facilities.

Uniquely, Hampton believes that detox should last between two and three weeks, rather than the more standard seven days approach seen in many other treatment facilities. In so doing, they help people to stabilize not just physically, but also mentally to some degree. Hampton also recommends that people choose to have inpatient treatment, which should last not the commonly seen 28 days, but rather three to six months, depending on the severity of the problem.

Drug Courts in Hampton, VA

The concept of "drug courts" has also been implemented in Hampton. This means that people are given the opportunity to seek treatment rather than be sent to jail. In so doing, the criminal justice system is attempting to reduce the impact on society caused by the criminal behavior of substance abusers, while at the same time giving them the opportunity to beat their addiction and become productive members of society. Interestingly, and this shows the particular problems that Hampton is facing, the first "graduate" from a drug court program was a veteran.

Hampton is making significant efforts towards improving the situation and to reduce the levels of drug and alcohol abuse in the city. People are encouraged to seek help, either for themselves or for a loved one, and the approach is to offer treatment, rather than impose punishment.