Is crack cocaine a major problem in Florida? (Plant City, Kathleen: how much, neighborhood)

BUBBA1994 · 07-24-2009, 01:13 PM

With Florida's large population, I'm pretty sure there's huge problem with crack-cocaine.

stars99 · 07-24-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladywithafan

Crack is from the outlet store, freebase comes from Saks. Not everyone who smokes cocaine will become addicted. I disagree with the "take one hit and you're an addict" theory as well. If you have an "addictive personality", issues that you resolve by using pills or alcohol, I'd put my money that should you get a taste of "smoking" and get the good stuff, you might not be able to walk away from it as easy as someone who's just experimenting.

It probably has a lot to with each person's brain chemistry. Someone who likes to bring themselves "down" with substances would probably never enjoy being wired on cocaine even if they used it, and never get addicted.

itsajourney · 07-25-2009, 07:58 PM

I've lived in Orlando for 8 years now--raised 4 kids here--currently between 15-22. I have personally never had crack, meth, or any other illegal substance flaunted in front of me. My kids have never felt pressured to try or buy. It's all in who you choose to hang out with. My kids are all high academic achievers who don't seem interested in screwing up their lives (thank God).

My oldest son works for the Polk County school district and I just asked him about this issue. He said that aactually crack and meth are not as bad as what they were a few years ago. He also agrees that the biggest problem is probably with pot or underage drinking.

To the OP concern, all of these things can be found everywhere. There is no where that is immune to drugs. But it certainly is not like the city of Orlando or the state of Florida is so over-run with illegal drugs that it is inescapable. It has not been an issue in my life in 8 years of living here with 4 teenage kids.

hiknapster · 07-25-2009, 08:38 PM

I was the court reporter in my small area in Mass. for ten years. Very few drug issues and they were all pot.

Drugs in Orlando will eventually catch up to you. It does not have to flaunted in front of you. A break in or purse grab will affect you.

Orlando definitely has a drug issue, and the crime rates have gone up dramatically since I left in 1998. It's a numbers game, unfortunately, and your luck may run out.

itsajourney · 07-25-2009, 08:56 PM

My personal opinion, there are areas on the southwest side of Chicago and Philadelphia that have intimidated me way more than any area in Orlando. Orlando has it's bad areas, but compared to major cities, these areas are much smaller and you are in and out of them within a few minutes.I can't say that I was thrilled to be driving thru Parramore on a detour a few weeks ago, but a few blocks and it was over-of course, I also happened to get every red light passing thru, but.... That's quite different than a few miles of really, really bad gang infested inner-city stuff where you are truly hoping you don't get caught in the cross-fire just cause you made a wrong turn.

And there are many,many cities which offer more positive things in life and a better life--which is why I have been in search of a new place to call home.

hiknapster · 07-25-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsajourney

My personal opinion, there are areas on the southwest side of Chicago and Philadelphia that have intimidated me way more than any area in Orlando. Orlando has it's bad areas, but compared to major cities, these areas are much smaller and you are in and out of them within a few minutes.I can't say that I was thrilled to be driving thru Parramore on a detour a few weeks ago, but a few blocks and it was over-of course, I also happened to get every red light passing thru, but.... That's quite different than a few miles of really, really bad gang infested inner-city stuff where you are truly hoping you don't get caught in the cross-fire just cause you made a wrong turn.

And there are many,many cities which offer more positive things in life and a better life--which is why I have been in search of a new place to call home.

Right. I understand. But some people think that Florida is "paradise" and it is ridiculous, really. I've seen it compared against Philly, Chicago, Detroit, East LA. Well, if you have to compare these areas against it to sell it, then maybe there are better places. Ya think? Why sink your life savings into moving there if it is going to be the same or worse than where you are from?

itsajourney · 07-25-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Right. I understand. But some people think that Florida is "paradise" and it is ridiculous, really. I've seen it compared against Philly, Chicago, Detroit, East LA. Well, if you have to compare these areas against it to sell it, then maybe there are better places. Ya think? Why sink your life savings into moving there if it is going to be the same or worse than where you are from?

I'm with you there....that's why I'm in search of paradise elsewhere

annerk · 07-26-2009, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUBBA1994

With Florida's large population, I'm pretty sure there's huge problem with crack-cocaine.

Actually there isn't a crack problem in most of Florida--methamphetimine is a much larger issue. And it's really bad in the rural areas like where you live!

annerk · 07-26-2009, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I was the court reporter in my small area in Mass. for ten years. Very few drug issues and they were all pot.

Drugs in Orlando will eventually catch up to you. It does not have to flaunted in front of you. A break in or purse grab will affect you.

Orlando definitely has a drug issue, and the crime rates have gone up dramatically since I left in 1998. It's a numbers game, unfortunately, and your luck may run out.

I'm not saying drugs aren't here. I have friends who smoke weed, although I honestly think the government is missing the boat by not legalizing, controlling, and taxing that like we do with alcohol and cigarettes. I think the only reason they haven't is that they can't figure out a way to accurately measure levels of "intoxication" like they can with driving in order to assess penalties for abuse.

And I imagine if I ever wanted to I could score pretty much anything I wanted to with a few phone calls. Face it, I don't care if you're the church organist, we all know people who know people who know people.

But they aren't nearly as prevelent as they are in other areas I've lived in. In one place I lived in the northeast, I was regularly offered drugs as I left my house in an urban but not "ghetto" neighborhood each day.

Trusses · 07-26-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiknapster

Right. I understand. But some people think that Florida is "paradise" and it is ridiculous, really. I've seen it compared against Philly, Chicago, Detroit, East LA. Well, if you have to compare these areas against it to sell it, then maybe there are better places. Ya think? Why sink your life savings into moving there if it is going to be the same or worse than where you are from?

LOL, yes, I love the "This is just like back home in Jersey but there's now snow down here." Now that's appealing.