According to the website travel.alot.com, a person doesn't really have to travel far from the Shreveport/Bossier area to visit the ugliest city in the whole state of Louisiana.

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While I'm not usually a proponent of pointing out the negatives of our state, it is worth noting what drugs can do to an area. Case and point is Shreveport's own Queensborough neighborhood.

Unsplash Via Ben Frost
Unsplash Via Ben Frost
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However, their article, "The Ugliest Cities in Each State", the website calls Bastrop the ugliest city in Louisiana and directly blames drug usage for the blight that has swept this once booming farm town.

One former resident wrote, “Bastrop has a lot of things that should change. The town has gone down so much due to no extra activities for kids when they get out of school. There are so many drugs in this town that also has led to it being run down.”

Could The Same Be Said Of Shreveport Someday?

I'm nearly certain that the 9,691 residents of Bastrop would say that if something isn't done, and done quickly, to curb the drug activity and gang violence plaguing Shreveport, it could very likely have the same results.

Sure, Bastrop could use some tender, loving care.  It needs a heaping helping of maintenance and probably a week or two of dozer work, but is Bastrop really the ugly step sister of all Louisiana?

Couldn't the same be written of a lot of Louisiana towns? Drugs have led to the ruination of towns throughout the state.

From Google Maps
From Google Maps
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I'm thinking travel.alot.com must have never visited Raceland.  This small community of just under 11,000 residents that sits to the southwest of New Orleans, was once a bustling community of farmers, fishermen and oilfield workers. It's now reported that over 18% of the population lives below poverty level.

Drugs Have Caused A Blight To Lots Of Louisiana Towns

Talk about what drugs can do to an area.  One of my friends grew up in the Raceland area and he said there is such a meth problem that the poorest man in town is the dentist.

Photo by Corey Sipkin/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Photo by Corey Sipkin/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
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Why Bastrop When There's Obviously A Better Choice?

I honestly believe that Bastrop was a bad choice.  Course, the most obvious choice for most of us who live here in Louisiana, isn't even an entire city.  It's just one building in one city.

Little hint here; it's in Baton Rouge. Bet you can guess where I'm going when you see the picture below.

Chris Graythen, Getty Images
Chris Graythen, Getty Images
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10 Unique Things Every House In Louisiana Must Have

Living in Louisiana comes with its own set of rules. There are several items that MUST be found in your home, or you just won't be prepared for our unique way of life. We've listed ten of those things here, so if you're new to Louisiana, you'll want to head to the store now and pick them up.

Gallery Credit: Gary McCoy

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