Humboldt is a city in Tennessee that stretches through both Gibson and Madison counties. Named for a German Naturalist named Alexander von Humboldt, the city of Humboldt started becoming populated in the 1850s, shortly after one of the first and most well-known citizens of the city, John Gillespie came to the area in the 1820s.
Like many other cities in Tennessee, Humboldt got its beginnings with the implementation of a railroad system. By 1859, Humboldt was home to the crossing of the Mobile and Ohio railroad, as well as the Memphis and Ohio railroad. In 1862, amidst the Civil War, it was reported that the Union army took over Humboldt Female College and began using it as a hospital, but intentionally burned it down before abandoning it.
Humboldt is a quiet suburban area in Tennessee, home to thousands of people, many of whom are retired. Those who live in this city enjoy the many parks it has to offer, including Spangler and Bailey Parks.
Demographics
Humboldt is a small city, with only 8,235 citizens reported in 2016. Since 1980, the population census has been declining, with the biggest decline occurring between 2000 and 2010, as the population lessened by 10.7%.
This Western Tennessee city is made of 55.06% Caucasian, 43% African American, and 1.56% Hispanic or Latino individuals. Less than 2% of the population is a combination of Asiana, Native Americans, and individual of two or more races.
Humboldt and Drugs
In the city of Humboldt, opioid addiction is occurring at excessively high rates, as it is across the United States. One of the ways in which this small city works to combat the opioid crisis facing the public is by implementing resources, such as a treatment program for pregnant and opioid-addicted women at Humboldt Medical Center. This is extremely imperative for this city, as the rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) have continued to rise in the area. The goal of the program is to help provide early intervention for expecting mothers to reduce the harmful impacts of opioids on the fetus.
Opioids like fentanyl, heroin, and prescription painkillers are easily accessible in Humboldt, which is one of the primary reasons why the abuse of these medications is occurring at such high rates. When opioids of any kind are being abused, it can cause people to experience shallow breathing, frequent episodes of nodding off, and detachment from their surroundings. Physically, vital organ damage and respiratory complications are possible, as are injuries caused by being under the influence, such as being in a car accident or experiencing a fall. Psychological issues such as depression and anxiety are more common in those who abuse opioids, often complicating the substance use disorder further.
Specific to many parts of Tennessee, Humboldt and its citizens also experience increased instances of meth abuse. Meth can be cooked easily, as the ingredients needed to make it can be purchased at pharmacies and home improvement stores. Therefore, places like Humboldt and other cities in the state are home to meth labs, where it is cooked and then sold. Because of the access to meth, the abuse of it is higher in this area than in other parts of the country.
Do You Need Help?
If you are living in or around Humboldt and are addicted to drugs, know that there are countless resources for you to obtain. You do not need to keep abusing drugs. Help is available and it’s right around the corner.