When most people think of Louisiana, they think of Mardi Gras, New Orleans, and of course vampires. In truth, it has a rich musical and cultural heritage that has been delighting people for generations. This heart of jazz country is filled with incredible food and scenic bayous as well as vast sugar plantations.
Unfortunately, this is not all Louisiana is known for. It is also known as an impoverished state with a more than 19 percent poverty rate and a rural poverty rate of 24.2 percent. This poverty leads to even greater problems of drug addiction and crime. In fact, Louisiana has one of the highest crime rates in the country.
The availability of both illegal and prescription drugs in Louisiana comes as no surprise with both a massive interstate system and easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. It is easy to see how people living in Louisiana fall victim to the ever-growing problem of drug addiction.