




Palmer, Alaska
Palmer, AK Profile
Palmer, AK, population 4,533 , is located
in Alaska's Matanuska-Susitna county,
about 37.1 miles from Anchorage and 1,426.4 miles from Seattle.
In the 90's the population of Palmer has grown by about 58%.
It is Estimated in recent years the population of Palmer has been growing at an annual rate of 8.2 percent.
Reports show that during 2003 property crime levels in the Palmer area were higher than Alaska's average.
The same data shows violent crime levels to be higher than the Alaska average.
Palmer Statistics
Palmer Gender Information
Males in Palmer: 2,245 (50%)
Females in Palmer: 2,288 (50%)
As % of Population in Palmer
Race Diversity in Palmer
White: 81%
African American: 2%
Native American: 8%
Asian: 1%
Other/Mixed: 8%
As % of Population in Palmer
Age Diversity in Palmer
Median Age in Palmer: 28.8 (Males in Palmer: 26.8, Females in Palmer: 30.6)
Palmer Males Under 20: 20%
Palmer Females Under 20: 18%
Palmer Males 20 to 40: 15%
Palmer Females 20 to 40: 15%
Palmer Males 40 to 60: 11%
Palmer Females 40 to 60: 11%
Palmer Males Over 60: 4%
Palmer Females Over 60: 6%
Economics in Palmer
Palmer Household Average Size: 2.81 people
Palmer Median Household Income: $ 45,571
Palmer Median Value of Homes: $ 102,300
Law Enforcement in Palmer
Reported crimes in the Palmer area during 2003:
Murder and non-negligent man-slaughter: 0
Forcible rape: 1
Robbery: 1
Aggravated assault: 54
Violent crime events per 100,000 people: 1,031
Burglary: 27
Larceny-theft: 245
Motor vehicle theft: 32
Arson: 10
Property crime events per 100,000 people: 5,599
Palmer Location Information
Elevation: 239 feet above sea level.
Land Area: 3.7 Square Miles.
Nearby Towns & Cities to Palmer
Gateway 4.6 Miles
Butte 4.8 Miles
Lazy Mountain 5.8 Miles
Tanaina 10.5 Miles
Sutton-Alpine 10.7 Miles
Wasilla 10.8 Miles
Meadow Lakes 16.2 Miles
Knik River 22.6 Miles
Knik-Fairview 23.0 Miles
Houston 23.3 Miles
Big Cities Nearest Palmer
(Population 100,000+)
Anchorage 37.1 Miles
Seattle 1,426.4 Miles
Bellevue 1,429.9 Miles
Tacoma 1,442.7 Miles
Vancouver 1,527.5 Miles
Portland 1,533.7 Miles
Salem 1,557.5 Miles
Spokane 1,567.5 Miles
Eugene 1,608.1 Miles
Boise 1,824.6 Miles
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Facts
Federal research shows that the ONDCP's anti-drug media campaign is ineffective. According to NIDA's 1998 Household Survey, "exposure to prevention messages outside school, such as through the media, was fairly widespread but appeared to be unrelated to illicit drug use or being drunk". NIDA goes on to report, "Nearly 80% of youths who used illicit drugs and more than three-fourths of youths who were drunk on 51 or more days in the past year reported being exposed to prevention messages outside school. Rohypnol is highly addictive, or habit-forming. Experts advise users who want to quit the habit for good to consult with a physician. Sudden withdrawal, often called going "cold turkey," is not recommended and can be dangerous. The body of a Rohypnol addict is accustomed to receiving a regular supply of the drug. Without it, the user can experience painful withdrawal symptoms such as headache, muscular pain, hallucinations, DELIRIUM, and seizures (which can occur more than a week after a person stops taking Rohypnol). Other symptoms include intense irritability, anxiety, tension, and restlessness. Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs may also occur. Treatment programs exist that help users give up addictive substances. There are inpatient and outpatient programs, depending on the severity of the addiction. According to the "Pulse Check" report, "treatment numbers [for Rohypnol] remain low when compared with other drugs." However, the number is rising steadily. About 98 percent of these treatment clients are male. During the past 15 years, concerns about crime and violence have prompted increased law enforcement, prosecution, and punishment. But although the "get tough" approach may have contributed to recent reductions in crime, there are limits to its ability to enhance the public's safety and general well-being in the long run. The reason is that it does little to address drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. Although these problems have had a fundamental impact on the criminal behavior of 80 percent of inmates, only one in six of those who need substance abuse treatment receives it while in prison, and far fewer receive comprehensive intensive treatment with aftercare. As a result, our prison doors open to release tens of thousands of untreated or inadequately treated offenders back into the community every year. Most will return to a life of drug and alcohol use and crime, typically committing as many as 100 offenses annually. The financial and social costs of current policies are staggering. In fact, the current well-intended but uninformed crackdown on crime has already put an excessive burden on state, federal, and local budgets. Between 1980 and 1996, the price of constructing, maintaining, and operating U.S. prisons and jails rose from $7 billion to $38 billion. Just as troubling is a recent U.S. Department of Justice study, which found that at current incarceration rates, one out of every 20 Americans born in 1997 will spend time in prison, including one in 11 men and one in four black men. Even now, one in three young black males is under the supervision of the criminal justice system in cities such as Baltimore and Washington, D.C., largely for drug-related crimes. Motor vehicle injuries are the greatest public health problem facing children today. In fact, they are the leading cause of death among children in the United States. |
Relapse
Relapse is a term used to describe when an individual who has quit using drugs starts using once again. A relapse can mean just a one time use, a long term continues period of using or anything in between after a period of sobriety has taken place. An individual begins to experience a psychological relapse long before their first use after
quitting. Some things that can lead to relapse both physically or psychologically include: 1. Being in the presence of drugs or alcohol, drug or alcohol users, or places where you used or bought chemicals. 2. Feelings we perceive as negative, particularly anger; also sadness, loneliness, guilt, fear, and anxiety. 3. Positive feelings that make you want to celebrate by using. 4. Listening to others past drug use stories and just dwelling on getting high. 5. Believing that you no longer have to worry (complacent). That is, that you are no longer stimulated to crave drugs/alcohol by any of the above situations or by anything else – and therefore maybe it’s safe for you to use occasionally.
Addiction Treatment
Addiction treatment is needed when an individual finds that they have developed a drug or alcohol addiction which they are not able to successful end on their own. With the help of addiction treatment, addicted individual can get help to control their drug taking behavior and live happy and successful lives. There are several addiction treatment options available for drug and alcohol addiction. Some of these options include self-help groups, counseling, drug rehabilitation programs (in and out-patient), and residential treatment facilities. Each of these differ
in their aims and outcomes and elements of these addiction treatment options are often
combined.
Intervention
An intervention is when a group of loved ones and/or a trained intervention counselor meets with the person in need of help for the purpose of breaking down their denial and motivating them to immediately seek drug addiction treatment. Often, individuals in the midst of drug addiction engage in a variety of self destructive behaviors. Although baffling to friends and family members such people generally either aren't aware on a conscious level that they have a drug addiction problem, or even when they know they have a problem they may cling to the false belief that the problem will somehow go away without any outside help. When an intervention is held a moment of clarity is created
for the addict. Most people struggling with the problem of drug or alcohol
addiction will accept help the very day of the intervention.
Tolerance
Tolerance to a drug takes place when an individual is exposed to the same drug repeatedly and begins to build up an resistance to the drugs effects. The body then adapts and develops a tolerance for the drug. The addiction that is produced is so powerful that it creates cravings in the user. These cravings for the drug are the result of its impact on the individual's memory with feelings of pleasantness and euphoria which the individual has come to associate with the taking of the drug.
Therapeutic Community
An effective therapeutic community attends to the many needs of the individual, not just his or her drug use. Care given at a therapeutic community addresses the individual's drug use and associated medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal problems. Also, a therapeutic community will continue to be flexible and provide ongoing assessments of the individual's needs, which may change during the course of care.
Remaining in care at a therapeutic community for an adequate period of time is critical for treatment effectiveness. The time depends on an individual's needs. For most people, the significant improvement is reached at about 3 months in treatment.
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