Addiction and Treatment Statistics for Shafter, California

Published on December 26, 2018

Shafter is an agricultural community of about 18,000 residents that is rapidly diversifying its local economy. It is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Bakersfield on State Highway 43.

There was formerly an active WWII Air Force Base in Shafter called Minter Field, which currently operates as a regional airport. Shafter’s Depot Museum is housed in the community’s Santa Fe Depot, an original town landmark.

Alcohol And Drug Rehab Centers in Shafter, California

Shafter had no alcohol and drug rehab centers, but since it is close to Bakersfield, Shafter residents can easily access services for substance abuse treatment. Some additional outpatient rehab services are available in other nearby Kern County communities.

Alcohol And Drug Rehab Centers Near Shafter, California

The majority of Kern County’s addiction treatment facilities are located in Bakersfield, but some can be found in other California cities near Shafter, such as Wasco.

Substance Abuse In Shafter And Kern County

Kern County maintains statistics on many health indicators, including substance use disorders and death rates due to substance use. Kern County has traditionally been associated with methamphetamine use, but other drugs are also impacting its communities.

• According to Healthy Kern County, 25 people per 100,000 residents lost their lives due to drug use between 2014 and 2016.
• Kern County’s death rate of 8.0 per 100,000 people for opioid overdoses in 2017 was nearly double the California state rate of 4.5 per 100,000.
• 10.2 people per 10,000 were hospitalized for alcohol use disorders in Kern County (more than the state average).
• The rate of opioid prescriptions in Kern County was 510.3 per 10,000 people, which is close to the California state average.

Traveling For The Best Program

Shafter residents seeking addiction treatment will have to travel, at least out of the city, to find an alcohol and drug rehab center.

Many people find that traveling even further, such as out of state, gives them better substance abuse treatment options and removes them from aspects of their lives that hinder recovery.