Drug Abuse:

A Big Problem in the Rio Grande Valley

By Beverly Skloss, RN, MSN
School of Vocational Nursing
Valley Baptist Medical Center- Harlingen

Substance abuse -- the problem use of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs -- is a growing concern in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. There are persons, whether they have money or not, that are addicted to drugs or abuse them. There are many kinds of drugs but some of the most common ones abused are alcohol, ecstasy, rohypnol (“date rape” drug), crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.

The Drug Demand Reduction Advisory Committee for Texas reports that in 2000 the economic costs of substance abuse were estimated at $26 billion. This abuse is a major cause of violence, criminal actions, child abuse, suicide, divorce, unwanted pregnancy, spouse abuse, disability, unemployment, low output at work, lack of money, homelessness, and serious sicknesses such as AIDS and fetal alcohol syndrome.

According to statewide information received from the Rio Grande Valley Council, Inc., a non-profit organization that works to prevent and provides treatment for substance abuse, the number of people using illegal drugs is higher here than in the rest of the state. The 2002 Texas School Survey of Substance Use Among Students points out that substance use begins during the elementary years for border area children. Starting in the fourth grade, 8.5 percent of border children tell about inhalant use, and by the time they reach the sixth grade, 11.8 percent report use. Substance use also increases quickly during secondary school and affects drop out rates.

This same survey shows the use of ecstasy and rohypnol, “club drugs,” has increased 400 percent more in border areas than in other parts of Texas. Crack cocaine use is six to eight percent higher in this area for high school seniors. Among young adults, ages 18 – 25, club drug abuse is the fastest-growing “epidemic” reported in the history of drug studies for the Valley. This increase is blamed on the closeness to Mexico, which according to state surveys makes the substances easy to obtain and cheaper to buy. According to records from Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen, there are visits to the Emergency Department every month related to substance abuse, the most common being alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Some of these people have chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, liver disease and ulcers directly caused by overuse of these substances.

Signs of substance abuse in a person are denial of the problem, making excuses for their behavior, blaming others for problems, careless actions, guilt feelings, sadness, anger, poor judgment, low self-esteem, trouble talking about one’s true feelings, personal relationship problems, and physical ailments. In teenagers and younger-aged children, school grades usually drop, family relationships become distant with lots of conflict, and friendship groups change. Also, one must pay attention to individual risk factors in teenagers, including thrill-seeking activities, mental stress, less interest in personal looks, and memory problems.

If you are worried about yourself or a loved one, your physician or primary healthcare giver is a good source for getting help. Information about these drugs is free online from the U. S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse/Mental Health Services Administration and from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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