There is no question amongst Sarasota locals that the area is far less seedy and dangerous than it was several years ago. This is probably in large part due to the fact that the number of drug busts over the past few years has been at an all-time high. Recently, a two-year-long investigation ended with Sarasota police officials shutting down a massive drug trafficking operation known as “Operation Sarasota Cartel II”, leading to the arrests of 33 high-level drug dealers and the seizure of over 14 kilos of cocaine. In September of 2013, $250,000 worth of marijuana was seized at the Sarasota Airport. Although the men arrested had travelled from California into the Sarasota area, this is indicative of the large amount of trafficking taking place in and around this specific region. In fact, Sarasota has been deemed one of the regions in Southern Florida most affected by drug abuse.

Locals are aware, and steps are being taken to reduce the amount of illicit drug activity and help those in their region who suffer from addiction. In 1999, the Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse was founded, and has been playing a crucial role in awareness, prevention, and treating of differing struggles with addiction. Dedicated to reduction of substance abuse in Sarasota County specifically, the coalition holds numerous charity events and gladly points lost addicts in the right direction – towards one of Sarasota’s many treatment facilities.

Do you need help finding a drug treatment center in Sarasota?

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Ocean Breeze Recovery

2413 East Atlantic Boulevard
Pompano Beach, FL 33062

855-677-9522

Pathway to Hope

600 SE 2nd Ct
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

877-938-2499

Sunrise Detox

2331 NE 53rd St
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308

866-919-8642

Although steps are being taken, drug abuse continues to be the greatest epidemic Southern Florida has to face. Like most other regions in the state, the largest threat is being posed by prescription drug abuse. Because prescription drugs are technically legal, it is much harder to detect the misuse or incarcerate “dealers” – seeing as most painkillers are obtained through filling doctor-given prescriptions. Many of the doctors, however, are working out of what have come to be known as “pill mills”, and which are slowly beginning to be regulated and monitored as addiction statistics continue to rise. A pill mill bill was passed by legislature in May, putting a much more enforced instruction code on hole-in-the-wall doctor’s offices. And last month, Sarasota County commissioners approved a pain management clinic ordinance in attempt to correct noticeable flaws in statewide laws. This particular ordinance requires that physicians working in pain clinics check the prescription drug database before handing out high-dosage narcotics to anyone who waltzes in and requests them.

With coalitions being formed and new laws being passed and implemented, the numbers of those suffering from addiction are beginning to slowly dwindle. Of course, there are those unfortunates who got heavily involved in drug abuse before any action was taken. Thus, another form of attack has proven essential – the establishment and promotion of local residential addiction treatment centers. Over the past several years, numerous renowned treatment facilities in the immediate area have been monumental in aiding in the culmination of the drug abuse epidemic Sarasota has been facing. Without question, despite Sarasota’s infamous substance abuse scourge, it proves one of the best areas statewide in which to maintain a solid foundation for long-term sobriety.

Drug rehabs within Sarasota