By Staff Writer

Though a concerned effort is being made by communities across the country to reverse rising rates of opiate addiction, drug enforcement officials report troubling statistics. Some community leaders have described opiate addiction as "epidemic," and have called for increased drug rehab programs to help residents fight their addictions.

Depending upon the nature and severity of an individual's opiate addiction, one effective option may be a medically assisted program at a comprehensive clinic.

In New York's Nassau County, opiate addiction increased by more than 90 percent between 2005 and 2008. Nassau authorities told the Minneola Patch that heroin has become the "drug of choice" for wealthy and middle class teens and young adults. Heroin, a highly addictive opioid, can provide users with a powerful high, but quickly leads to opiate addiction, which can ruin lives.

Law enforcement representatives told the news source that understanding the reasons why adolescents gravitate toward this drug is equally as important as trying to stop the flow of the substance into communities. One noted that reducing the stress and pressure placed on youths may remove some of the reasons for their drug-seeking behavior.

Opiate addiction is one of the most common reasons for seeking drug rehab treatment. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 18 percent of all rehab admissions are for addiction to heroin or other opiates.