Economy down, drug abuse up

The downturn in the economy may be having an effect on the number of people using illicit drugs and abusing alcohol in Yuma County.

According to Gordon Block, treatment director for Crossroads Mission, more people require their services than this same time last year.

"Crossroads Mission has definitely seen an increase," Block said.

"There has been an approximate increase of 25 percent in the amount of people who come to the mission just for a meal, a 20 percent increase in the numbers we have seen at both the men's and family shelters, and a 15 percent increase in the First Step Center which is our drug and alcohol stabilization (detox) unit.

"In our drug and alcohol treatment program, there has been an overall increase of 10 percent since last year. Those numbers include court referrals and walk-ins as well as referrals from other behavioral health agencies."

Block said there is a direct connection between poor economic times and drug and alcohol abuse.

"The unemployment percentage has increased in Yuma and with that you see people requesting more services. It is a direct correlation with the economy.

"Drugs and alcohol are not the answer to any economic problem. We recommend individuals in financial difficulties visit a credit consultant instead of beginning a drug or alcohol habit. Drugs and alcohol will make it worse."

According to Sheriff's Capt. Eben Bratcher, there has been no dramatic increase of inmates at the Yuma County jail due to drug-related offenses.

"There has been a very small increase in the overall bookings in the jail since last year of about 300," said Bratcher.

"The big thing we are noticing is the average length of stay. From June 18 of 2007 to June 18 of 2008, inmates were incarcerated an average of 18.4 days. During the same period from 2008 to 2009, the average length was 24.9 days.

"I cannot directly attribute the increase in inmates and the length of time they are incarcerated to drugs," Bratcher said. "There is a possibility that the change in the economic situation has had a small impact, but there is no evidence to indicate that it is the reason the population has increased."

The Yuma Police Department did not have statistics on the matter readily available due to the onset of the holiday weekend.

Christina Hawkey, professor of family studies at Arizona Western College, said drug and alcohol abuse is more likely now because of the economy, and people are looking for relief in any form they can find.

"Many unemployed people turn to alcohol to gain a cheap escape from reality. Drugs are also more available now. There seem to be a lot more dealers because people are looking for any type of income to feed their families. People who are scared, frustrated or worried are looking for anything that can ease their minds."

Suicide rates are way up because many people can't cope, Hawkey said.

"For those who don't want to kill themselves, they turn to drugs and alcohol. There are huge issues in Yuma County right now because people can go across the border and pick up prescription drugs for little money. Alcohol, meth and pills are the most commonly used because they are so cheap."

Hawkey said all of the free time associated with not having a job can eliminate ways to control the consumption of drugs and alcohol.

"If you have a job, you have to be sober to go to that job. But if you are unemployed, you never have to be sober for anything. The isolation of not going out into public can also increase consumption."

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Chris McDaniel can be reached at cmcdaniel@yumasun.com or 539-6849.