Expert Insights
Here’s a great example of how addiction can negatively impact a community: a large number of businesses in Long Beach, California are threatening to leave the city if drug use and drug-related crime is not addressed. According to a local news report, customers, employees, and business owners have all come forward to say they do not feel safe walking from their cars to any destination downtown. One downtown business owner sent an email to the Downtown Long Beach Alliance, describing in detail the issues plaguing the area. He included details of violence that broke out near his restaurant, revealed that people openly do drugs on the sidewalks and in local parks and golf courses, and he revealed large numbers of very high and very volatile people are simply wandering around and disturbing people trying to dine in his restaurant. The Billie Jean King Main Library was even closed for a month due to public safety issues. And locals believe most of these behaviors can be traced back to drug abuse and addiction.
~ Rita Milios
How Does Long Beach Compare in Alcohol and Drug Use?
Located in the heart of Southern California, Long Beach, CA, is a coastal town located about 20 miles south of Los Angeles in Los Angeles County. There is no shortage of choices if you or a loved one are looking for Long Beach drug rehabs or alcohol rehabs.
This includes detox centers, inpatient or outpatient rehabs, or long-term residential options. Alcohol and drug rehabs in Long Beach typically accept Medicare, Medicaid, and/or private insurance. Additionally, some are state-funded, allowing them to offer low-cost or free addiction treatment.
In 2019, the Long Beach City Council ordered a report on drug use, addiction, overdose, and death rates in the city over the past five years.1,2
The Long Beach Fire Department reported a total of 406 overdoses involving suspected drug use.
From July-November 2019, 40% of overdoses were due to opioids and just over 30% from amphetamines.
Long Beach Health Department found 286 substance-related deaths occurred from 2014 to 2018.
In Los Angeles County, 8.4% of people have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder.
Additional statistics from the five year study included:1
Long Beach saw a total of 75 opioid-related fatalities.
Long Beach saw a total of 62 amphetamine-related deaths.
Opioid and amphetamine overdoses are highest in the 46-60 age group.
Within Los Angeles County, 8.4% of people aged 12 and older have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder.2 Of those people, just over 37,000, or 0.4%, are in publicly funded treatment.2
Alcohol and Drug Laws in Long Beach
Priority Access Diversion (PAD): Long Beach offers the Priority Access Diversion (PAD) program. The city prosecutor reviews all misdemeanor cases, and if there is evidence the person has a mental health condition or substance use disorder, the case is referred to PAD.
Clinicians with the Department of Mental Health Court Linkage Program and the Los Angeles Center for Drug and Alcohol Abuse assess to determine the person’s needs and identify an appropriate treatment program. The defendant must agree to treatment and the prosecution and defense attorney, followed by court approval.
Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD): In 2017, the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office partnered with the Los Angeles County District Attorney, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and Long Beach Police Department to start a Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, program in part of the city. Thanks to a grant, the program is now expanding.
LEAD involves police connecting people directly to social services instead of being charged with a misdemeanor or going to jail. During the initial program, most of those identified had a substance use disorder. If the person agrees, a case manager begins to work with them on an assessment and care plan. Once this is completed, charges are not filed.
California Good Samaritan Overdose Prevention Law: The Good Samaritan Law is designed to help prevent overdose deaths. The law gives limited immunity to people who call 911 to get help for someone who has overdosed. Neither the caller nor the victim will be charged with the possession of a small number of drugs. People could still face charges if they are found in possession of enough drugs that would suggest trafficking or sales.
Resources
- City of Long Beach. (2020, February 6). Report on Opioid-Related Addiction, Overdose and Death in Long Beach.
- County of Los Angeles Public Health – Substance Abuse Prevention and Control. (2019). Costs of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse/Abuse.
- McHugh, R. K., & Weiss, R. D. (2019). Alcohol Use Disorder and Depressive Disorders. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 40(1), arcr.v40.1.01.
- Anxiety & Depression Association of America. (2021, October 19). Substance Use.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2020, July 13). Treatment of Co-Occurring PTSD and Substance Use Disorder in VA.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). An Introduction to Bipolar Disorder and Co-Occurring Substance Use Disorders.
- Parmar, A., & Kaloiya, G. (2018). Comorbidity of Personality Disorder among Substance Use Disorder Patients: A Narrative Review. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 40(6), 517–527.
