Drug Test - Lawrenceville, GA

Lawrenceville, GA - Drug Testing

Substance Abuse Trends and Statistics for Lawrenceville, GA

The number of fentanyl-related deaths in the Lawrenceville area has been steadily rising. In 2019, there were 26 fentanyl-related deaths in Gwinnett County. By 2020, there were 70 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the county, and it was noted that fentanyl played a role in 60% of the overdose deaths that year.

In 2022, the incidents continued to skyrocket, with the Gwinnett County police department reporting 41 overdoses in 18 days during the month of July. From the beginning of 2021 to February 2023, there were 381 overdose deaths in Gwinnett County, with 67% of them involving fentanyl.

Local Initiatives to Curb Substance Abuse in Lawrenceville, GA

Lawrenceville residents who end up in legal trouble as a result of their drug addiction may be able to take advantage of Gwinnett County's five-phase drug court program. The program lasts 21 to 27 months and requires random drug testing, frequent court appearances, and both individual and group counseling. The goal of the program is to help participants deal with their addictions and lay a foundation for them to become productive members of the community. It's open to non-violent offenders who have been charged with a felony drug crime. Upon successful completion, the charges may be reduced or dismissed.

Notable Events Related to Drug Use in Lawrenceville

A man from Lawrenceville was the first person in Gwinnett County to be charged with felony murder after he sold fentanyl-laced drugs that led to the death of a 50-year-old father who believed he was buying heroin. The man pled guilty to the murder charge on the first day of the trial, after having already pled guilty to multiple drug-related offenses, including possession of methamphetamine and transporting heroin. This has now paved the way for other drug dealers to receive harsher sentences for similar crimes.

Last updated 12/06/2023