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Texas Drug Statistics

Statistics are useful for determining how people in a particular area are behaving. These Texas drug statistics reveal a wide range of compelling and useful information about the most and least prevalent drug problems in our community. As you read this information, consider how it may affect you and your family in the area near you.

General Drug Abuse Statistics in Texas

The Five Most Common Drug Addictions

This data comes from people ages 12 and over who sought treatment for substance abuse in recent years. These are the five most prevalent drug addictions reported in Texas:

1. Alcohol – With more than 10,000 people reporting addiction to alcohol, it’s the most widely abused substance in Texas. There’s no doubt that the ease of finding and purchasing alcohol plays a role in its high potential for addiction.

2. Heroin – Over 6,500 people reported addiction to heroin in Texas. This is an alarming statistic considering that heroin is arguably the most lethal illicit drug on the list.

3. Other Opiates – With over 2,200 instances of addiction reported in Texas, other opiates such as codeine and morphine were the next most commonly abused drug. Note that this also includes prescribed opiates such as Fentanyl.

4. Cocaine – A drug that’s frequently trafficked across the border, cocaine is a major problem in our communities. It’s a highly addictive substance and over 3,000 Texans reported addiction to cocaine.

5. Marijuana – While legal in many other states, marijuana is still highly illegal in Texas. Although many people don’t consider it addictive, more than 7,500 people were admitted for marijuana addiction.

Drug Overdose Deaths by County from 2014-2016

Understanding the locations where drugs are the biggest problem is a key part of solving the problem in the first place. Law enforcement officials are constantly keeping track of the areas where crime is most prevalent so they know where to best allocate their resources. Note that the numbers represent overdose deaths in each county per 100,000 citizens.

  • Harris County – 1,384
  • Denton – 178
  • Collin – 227
  • El Paso – 220
  • Tarrant – 592
  • Bexar – 614
  • Travis – 415
  • Dallas – 949
  • Galveston – 151
  • Nueces – 193
  • Montgomery – 171
  • Fort Bend – 120

Three Drugs That Were Reported Most to Law Enforcement

When people notice illegal activity involving drugs, they often report it to their local police. This data is tracked in the state of Texas, which helps us observe changes in drug trends over the years. These are the three drugs that garnered the highest percentage of police reports:

  • Methamphetamine – 32.4% 
  • Marijuana – 19.6%
  • Cocaine – 18.5%

Understand the Statistics to Understand the Problem

All of this data has wide-reaching implications that make it valuable to law enforcement and border patrol agencies. From the counties with the most drug activity to the most widely abused drugs, statistics like these are useful for gaining a thorough understanding of the drug problem in your state. If you’ve been arrested for a drug crime, don’t become a statistic – call our experienced attorney Phillip A. Linder today for your free consultation.