Office of National 

Drug Control Policy 

PULSE CHECK 

National Trends in Drug Abuse 

Executive Office of tile President 

Office of National Drug Control Policy 

Lee P. Brown. Director 

Summer 1995 

I 

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Office of National 

Drug Control Policy 

PULSE CHECK 

National Trends in DrugAbuse 

Executive Office of the President 

Office of National Drug Control Policy 

Lee P. Brown, Director 

Summer 1995 

Table of Contents 

Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 

Description of Sources ........................................................................................................ 3 

Ethnographic Sources ...................................................................................................... 3 

Police Sources ................................................................................................................ 3 

Treatment Providers (Regions 1, 2, 3, 4) ............................................................................. 3 

Summary of Findings ............................................................................................................ 5 

Heroin ........................................................................................................................... 5 

Cocaine ......................................................................................................................... 5 

Marijuana ....................................................................................................................... 5 

Emerging Drugs .............................................................................................................. 6 

Trends in Drug Use ............................................................................................................... 7 

Heroin ......................................................................................................................... 7 

Ethnographers Sources ......................................................................................... 7 

Police Sources ..................................................................................................... 8 

Treatment Providers ............................................................................................. 8 

Cocaine ......................................................................................................................... 9 

Ethnographers Sources ......................................................................................... 9 

Police Sources..i .................................................................................................. 10 

Treatment Providers ............................................................................................. 10 

Marijuana ....................................................................................................................... 10 

Ethnographers Sources ......................................................................................... 10 

Police Sources ..................................................................................................... 11 

Treatment Providers ............................................................................................. 11 

Other Drugs/Emerging Drugs. ........................................................................................... 11 

Tables ..................................................................................................................................... 13 

Introduction 

This issue of Pulse Check summarizes information gathered for the Office of National Drug 

Control Policy (ONDCP) by Abt Associates over a 

three-week period during late spring of 1995. This 

effort, which began in April of 1992, provides a 

current picture of drug use in America and information that is of substantial value and interest to 

researchers and policy makers, at all levels. 

However, the information is subjective in nature, 

and is not intended to replace or supplant that 

gained through the more thorough, objective profiles derived from surveys of probability samples. 

The Pulse Check, done for ONDCP by Dr. 

Dana Hunt, uses quarterly conversations with 

police, ethnographers and epidemiologists working 

in the drug field, and providers of drug treatment 

services across the country to develop a current 

picture of illicit drug use and emerging trends 

therein. The police, ethnographic, and epidemiologic reporters are generally the same each quarter. 

The sample of treatment providers, however, is 

randomly drawn; stratified by size from a listing of 

all treatment providers in each region .of the country. 

The following sections describe briefly the 

sources used and summarize findings for this 

report -- Summer, 1995. 

OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 1 

Description of the Sources 

Ethnographic Sources 

Ethnographers,-epidemiologists, and other 

ethnographic sources from twelve urban areas 

were interviewed for this issue of Pulse Check. In 

the drug research field, ethnography is a qualitative 

research technique which, unlike highly structured 

observation methods, observes and records activity 

"on its own terms;" that is, without predetermined 

ideas about the activity. It is important to understand that ethnography is not undercover work; the 

ethnographer, a social scientist fully revealed as 

someone doing research, enters the drug user's 

world, records and describes it. 

The ethnographic sources contacted by Pulse 

Check this quarter include some of the best known 

drug researchers in the country. In most cases, they 

are trained ethnographers; in other cases, they are 

epidemiologists with access to ethnographic information. Some are social researchers working in a 

field site collecting ethnographic data. 

With few exceptions, the ethnographers and 

epidemiologists contacted for the Pulse Check are 

performing duties that bring them into contact with 

the most active drug users in areas where the highest levels of drug dealing and use occur. They may 

be working in areas near drug treatment facilities 

or in large urban housing projects where drug 

transactions are often public and users abound. For 

this reason, their reports often represent an acute 

picture of the drug problem, which is not typical of 

other areas of the nation. 

Police Sources 

Police sources are derived from the Abt staff's 

existing contacts within law enforcement and from 

contacts developed through the recommendations 

of law enforcement agencies. These sources are 

typically officers working on special squads, narcotics task forces, and DEA agents. We are actively 

seeking to expand the number of police sources 

included in the Pulse Check. This round of calls 

reached police sources in ten cities. 

Treatment Providers 

The sample of treatment providers is derived 

from the files of the National Drug Abuse 

Treatment Unit Survey (NDATUS). NDATUS programs are divided into four regions. Each region 

has a similar number of treatment programs, and 

the four regions are treated equally for sampling. 

The oiiginal sample, based on the 1991 NDATUS, 

has been revised using the 1992 files. From each 

region, 20 programs are identified, 10 are contacted, with the remainder serving as replacements. 

Samples are stratified to include equal nunlbers of 

small (under 100 clients) and large programs. NDATUS uses the following four regional divisions: 

• Region I: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 

New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New 

Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania 

• Region II: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, 

Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, North and South 

Car.olina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, 

Oklahoma, MaiTland , Delaware, Virginia, West 

Virginia, D.C. 

• Region III: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 

Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, 

Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota 

• Region IV: Colorado, Montana, Utah, 

Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, California, Idaho, 

New Mexico, Washington, Oregon 

OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 3 

Summary of Findings 

Heroin 

• High purity, low cost heroin is available in 

most urban areas of the country. This high 

level of purity has made possible inhaling 

heroin, a practice which appears to be growing 

in popularity in most areas. 

• The South and the West are exceptions: In the 

South, injection remains the most popular 

mode of ingestion; in the West, lower purity 

black tar heroin dominates the market and 

injection remains the most popular mode of 

ingestion. 

• In areas already saturated with high purity 

heroin, younger, more affluent users are most 

likely to inhale or smoke the drug rather than 

inject it. New users in some areas include white 

suburbanites who travel to inner city locations, 

and without leaving their vehicles, purchase 

heroin on the street in "drive-by" transactions. 

• There seems to be growing diversity among 

heroin dealers. Some of this can be contributed 

to former (and current) crack dealers beginning 

to deal heroin as crack use becomes less popular. This ~:hange has caused turf battles over 

control of the market and marked variation in 

both the cutting agents used and the purity of 

heroin sold at street level. 

• Treatment providers in all four regions report 

increases in the number of clients entering 

treatment with heroin as the prinaary drug of 

abuse. Reports by treatment providers are consistent with statements by ethnographers and 

police: Heroin is a problem in the Northeast, 

Mid-Atlantic, and some parts of the South. It is 

less prevalent in the Far West and Mid-Western 

areas. 

Cocaine 

• While cocaine use remains a major problem in 

many areas, evidence is accunmlating that 

users may be "burning out" or turning to other 

drugs 

• Crack users are reportedly buying larger quantities of cocaine powder (HCI) and making 

their own crack supplies, reducing the demand 

for street level crack. Users state that "commercially available" crack is inferior to what they 

themselves can produce from HC1. 

• Prices and purity of cocaine remain fairly stable 

in most areas. 

• The number of clients entering treatment with 

cocaine as their primary drug of abuse 

increased only slightly in all four regions. 

Treatment providers now say that those longterm crack users who appear for treatment are 

older and have more serious psychological, 

social, and medical problems than those who 

presented for treatment in the past. 

Marijuana 

• In all reporting locations, the availability and 

use of marijuana is reported as high. Use is 

reported as increasing in all locations except 

for Colorado, Florida, Texas, and one area of 

California. 

• " Unlike the users of other drugs, marijuana 

users cross all ethnic, gender, and age boundaries in all regions. Most users tend to be tinder 

20 years old. 

• Police report increased trafficking in marijuana 

with dealers often shipping via the mail or 

using body-cavity-packing techniques. 

OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 5 
• The proportion of clients entering treatment 

with marijuana as tile primary drug of abuse 

remains low, especially when compared to 

heroin and cocaine. This does not necessarily 

reflect a low level of marijuana usage; most 

marijuana users in treatment have already 

expanded their illicit drug use to include alcohol and other, more serious drugs, and those 

drugs become tile primary substance of abuse. 

Emerging drugs 

• Methamphetamine use continues to be reported as increasing, often competing in tile market 

with other stimulants like cocaine. 

• Methamphetamine smuggling is active, with 

Mexico and Canada being primary source 

areas. 

• Rohypnol, a powerful sedative like Valium, has 

appeared as a drag of abuse among youth and 

young adults in the South, particularly in Texas 

and Florida. 

6 OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 
Trends in Drug Use 

HEROIN 

Ethnographers (Table 1) 

Heroin use remains high in all areas except 

Florida and Southern California. Although heroin 

use has grown in the latter two areas, this growth 

has not been great. Heroin is typically not as pure 

there as in other parts of the country, so fear of 

injection as a mode of administration may be keeping new users out of the market. In places like 

New York and New Jersey, where high purity 

heroin was first available in the late 1980s and 

early 1990s, use seems to have stabilized. In other 

areas, like Atlanta and Denver, use is still increasing and the user group is changing (e.g., more 

young users, who are often inhaling). The Atlanta 

ethnographer also reports a drastic increase in 

heroin use among existing users of crack. 

Many areas (Connecticut, California, Texas, 

Colorado, New Jersey, and Delaware) report seeing 

increased use among white, often middle-class suburban users, some of whom enter the city to buy 

heroin. These younger, more affluent heroin users 

are most likely to inhale or smoke the drag rather 

than inject it. Inhalation is most noticeable in areas 

already saturated with high purity heroin. Even in 

these areas injection remains the most common 

method of use. Ethnographers in New Jersey report 

that first-time admissions to detox programs are 

predominantly inhaling the drug. It is important 

to note that, even with this shift, olderusers 

who inject the drug continue to dominate the 

heroin market in all four regions. 

Greater diversity seems to be emerging among 

heroin dealers. They are packaging and pricing 

heroin differently by market (suburban versus inner 

city) and by method of ingestion (inhaling versus 

injecting). There is also increased diversity in the 

availability of heroin sold in combination with 

other drags by the same dealer. While areas like 

San Francisco and Newark still have specialized 

heroin markets, other areas like Connecticut report 

combined sales (with cocaine). Areas where suburban heroin use is reportedly increasing 

(Connecticut, and especially Denver) also report 

"drive-by" urban street markets; that is, suburban 

users drive to open-air city markets and, without 

leaving their cars, purchase heroin from street dealers. This is very similar to the open-air markets 

where crack was sold in the late 1980s and early 

1990s. In large dealing areas in New York, the 

"curbside" purchases are usually small quantities, 

with larger quantities available at well-known 

indoor locations. In Denver, the ethnographer 

reports that white suburban users can be seen "in 

Jeep Cherokees with a kid on the passenger side" 

buying heroin openly on the street. 

New York and Atlanta ethnographers report 

crack sellers "crossing over" to sell heroin. 

Ethnographers in New York describe former streetlevel crack dealers changing their entire operation 

to heroin distribution. Because of a certain lack of 

knowledge about the drug, this often results in 

poor packaging and cutting, with a resulting wide 

variance in quality and purity. Users report that 

these novice dealers may adulterate the heroin with 

"crazy stuff" or cut it inconsistently (e.g., some $10 

bags contains 2% heroin and others from the same 

dealer contain 25 or 30% heroin). While this may 

produce only a disgruntled customer in the first 

case, it can lead to a fatal overdose in the second. 

Perhaps stemming from intrusions by crack 

dealers into the heroin trade, three areas in the 

Northeast report the appearance of many new 

dealers and the outbreak of "turf wars." In New 

York, for example, large organized groups traditionally control an area and delegate sales much 

like franchise operators. Users can buy heroin 

OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 7 
ready-cut and bagged in lots of 12 for $100, and 

can then resell the heroin or use it themselves. 

Distributors have to go outside the neighborhood 

sales areas to indoor connections for larger or 

uncut lots. However, persons not in the network 

wl~o want to distribute their products in established 

neighborhoods are likely to meet both organized 

and violent resistance. Some new distributors try 

new packaging and market to new types of users 

during these turf wars. For example, there are now 

inexpensive ($5) bags called "sniffer bags" available to the inhaler in Brooklyn, where the market 

has not included this unit size and type of cut for 

inhalation before. 

The price of heroin remains fairly low and 

purity high, even in street level units. New York 

reports $5 and even $3 bags available, though the 

$10 bag containing approximately 2/10 gram is the 

most common unit everywhere. The South and 

West report somewhat more expensive basic units 

($20-25/bag); but black tar heroin predominates in 

the West. Combining heroin with cocaine (speedbailing) remains popular throughout the nation, but 

in the West, methamphetamine use continues to 

rise as a replacement for cocaine. 

Police Sources (Table 2) 

Police sources report increases in heroin use in 

all areas except Los Angeles, California, and 

Yakima, Washington. Police tend to report little 

change in the number of older users, though some 

younger new users are reported by New York 

police. Injection remains the most popular route of 

administration, and speedballing with cocaine is 

reported in Yakima, Seattle, and Cleveland. Other 

drugs used in conjunction with heroin include 

methamphetamine, LSD, and pharmaceuticals such 

as Xanex, Dilaudid, and Ritalin. Street sales are 

active almost everywhere, and the demographics of 

the street-level seller matches the neighborhood in 

which he or she sells. Regionally, upper level 

sources of heroin are identified as Colombian in 

the East and Mexican nationals in the West and 

Northwest. This quarter Miami police reported a 

large seizure of Colombian heroin on its way to 

New York on an Amtrak train. 

Heroin prices vary, though most areas report 

costs of approximately $80-$100 per gram. Boston 

police report the sales of 50-bag units (called 

"bricks") for $200-$300, with more expensive prices 

in suburban areas than at inner-city locations. Cities 

to the north of Boston are also reporting the 

appearance of high purity heroin which has been 

evident in Boston for over a year. This has resulted 

in the increased incidence of heroin-related overdose and death. Purity levels continue to fluctuate 

depending on the buyer and the seller. 

Treatment providers (Table 3) 

All four regions report increases in the number 

of clients entering treatment with heroin as the primary drug of abuse. In Region I (the NortheasO 

treatment providers report that their current 

heroin admissions are fully 75 percent higher 

than those of one year ago. This is the only 

region where more clients are inhaling or smoking 

heroin than injecting it. 

Treatment provider reports are consistent with 

statements by ethnographers and police contacts: 

Heroin is a problem in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, 

and some parts of the South (Texas), and is less 

prevalent in the Far West and Mid-Western areas. 

In all areas, treatment providers state that heroin clients also use cocaine, alcohol, and an assortment of other drugs. These users remain predominantly older users (almost 70% nationwide are over 

30 years old) and are distributed among all ethnicities. They are approximately 3:1 male and the 

majority have been in treatment before. 

8 OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 
Only one treatment provider reports seeing 

younger, more affluent heroin users entering treatment. This provider, from the Northeast, noted that 

most of her clientele are still older, recovering 

addicts attracted back into use by high purity heroin which they can inhale without risk of HIV infection. She noted that unfortunately these users 

"think they can keep it under control this time," 

fail, and end up in treatment again. 

COCAINE 

Ethnographers (Table 4) 

Use of cocaine, primarily in the form of crack, 

is reportedly stable or high in every location except 

Los Angeles where ethnographers report a slight 

decrease. Crack is more likely to be used by minority populations of varying ages, whereas powdered 

cocaine (HC1) is more likely to be used by whites 

in their 20s and 30s. There appears to be a wide 

range of ages represented among crack users 

across the country. For example, while ethnographers report that older crack users (over 25 years 

old) are most common in Los Angeles, Miami, San 

Francisco, and Trenton, they say that cocaine is the 

drug of the young in Denver. There is little change 

in the user profile in most areas, with the exception of a continued increase in the number of 

female users in some areas (Texas, Connecticut). 

Those who inject heroin often combine it with 

cocaine, and the drug user who injects only 

cocaine is rare. Crack users sometimes also inhale 

heroin, though these two drugs are usually used by 

different groups. More typically, crack users con> 

bine their crack with marijuana and/or alcohol. 

Ethnographers increasingly refer to users buying larger amounts of cocaine powder (HCl) and 

"basing their own;" that is, making crack for their 

own use from HCI, rather than buying ready-made 

supplies. One ethnographer in New York reports 

that crack users state that what is "commercially 

available" (already transformed from cocaine powder to crack for sale) has "chemicals in it" and is 

thus inferior to what could be made by the users 

themselves. There is, however, still a market for 

ready-made crack for those who want to use the 

product immediately. For example, this same 

source reports that crack users may buy two "nickels" of crack (bags or vials worth $5 each) to consume immediately and two "dimes" of HC1 (bags 

worth $10 each) to make into crack at their leisure. 

This trend produces less volume in the crack trade 

and greater volume in the HCI trade, a market 

which traditionally relies on cocaine injectors or 

inhalers as its main source of business. The ethnicity of dealers continues to vary widely. 

As was mentioned above, diverse areas 

(Connecticut, Texas, Southern California) report 

that cocaine sellers in their areas also sell heroin. 

This is a continued trend in Pulse Check reports 

and a deviation from the traditional single drug 

markets. In some of these areas, this may represent 

a transitional market trend. For example, as crack 

use becomes "passe" in an area or is seen as 

"going out of style" (as was noted in Newark and 

San Francisco), young dealers may be switching 

their product line and offering both drugs during 

the transition. 

Prices and purity remain fairly stable in most 

areas. A gram of HC1 sells for roughly $60-$100 in 

most areas and the quality is high. In New York, 

there is the report of pressing crack into larger 

pieces called "slabs" and scoring the slabs into fiat 

pieces of crack called "clips." These clips, which 

sell for $10 each, look quite different from the 

pieces or rocks of crack sold in vials or bags. They 

resemble a piece of chewing gum and are harder 

to detect by police when patting down a dealer 

suspect. 

OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 9 
Police Sources (Table 5) 

Police report that cocaine use is stable in most 

areas of the country, with the notable exceptions of 

Denver and Cleveland. Washington State sources 

report crack use as low, but cocaine powder use as 

high. There is a wide range of ages and ethnicities 

seen by police among users nationwide. 

Sellers vary across areas. Colombian sources 

are reported for bulk sales in Miami, but when the 

sales reach the street, the sellers' demographics 

match the neighborhoods where they sell. Denver 

police report gang involvement in street level sales. 

Police sources report lower prices (as low as 

$40/gram in the Northwest) than ethnographic 

sources and more variability in purity. Also, 

methamphetamine is becoming more predominant 

as a substitute for cocaine in the Northwest 

Treatment providers (Table 6) 

The number of clients entering treatment with 

cocaine as their primary problem-increased only 

slightly in all four regions. Region I programs have 

a higher proportion of clients (70%) with cocaine 

as their primary treatment problem than programs 

in the other regions. The majority of clients in all 

regions are cocaine smokers or inhalers, rather 

than injectors, and injection is considerably less 

common in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern states. 

As with previous reports, the other drugs, used by 

cocaine clients are most commonly alcohol (over 

70% in all regions) and marijuana. The majority of 

clients in all regions are male. Ethnically, whites 

constitute the majority of clients in every area 

except Region I, where the percentage of white 

clients is the same as the percentage of African 

American clients. 

As noted by Texas ethnographers, several treatment providers commented on the seriously 

impaired state of long term heavy crack users 

appearing for treatment. They have multiple health 

problems (repeated miscarriage, irregular heartbeat, 

malnutrition), concurrent alcohol or stimulant use 

and considerably more family relationship problems than other types of drug users. This profile 

makes the long-terln crack user entering treatment 

at 30 or 35 years old both difficult to treat and in 

need of many services not often provided by treatment programs. 

MARIJUANA 

Ethnographers (Table 7) 

Marijuana use is reported as increasing in most 

locations except California, Colorado, Florida, and 

Texas. The ethnographers report that almost everyone they observe is using marijuana, though it 

appears to be more common among younger 

users, except in Miami and Denver, where heavy 

use is reported among older users. 

It should be noted that, with few exceptions, 

the work these ethnographers are doing brings 

them into contact with the most active drag users 

in areas in which the highest levels of drag dealing 

and use occur. For this reason, their reports often 

represent an acute picture of the drug problem, 

which is not typical of other areas of the nation. 

Street level marijuana sellers are distinct from 

the sellers of other drugs (such as heroin and 

cocaine) and their sources are a mix of local, 

Caribbean, and Mexican growers. The ethnographer at San Antonio/E1 Paso reports that marijuana 

often comes in with illegal farm workers who are 

offered assistance in passage across the border in 

exchange for transporting a dealer's supplies. 

Many varieties of marijuana (including hashish 

in New York) are available on the street in both 

| 0 OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 
small units (single joints, $10 bags) and larger 

weights. The market in Texas is described as "glutted" with marijuana. In Connecticut a buyer is able 

to purchase ounces and even half-pounds on the 

street in open-air drug dealing areas. High quality 

varieties are available in most areas, but they may 

not be available through common street sellers; 

they are more likely to be sold through networks 

of users and dealers. Other drugs used in conjunction with marijuana include LSD, MDMA, and 

methamphetan~ine. 

An interesting note comes from one of the 

Florida ethnographers: He reports that arrestees tell 

him about the availability of products that mask the 

presence of marijuana in urine, so they are not 

identified as users in drug tests. 

Police Sources (Table 8) 

Marijuana use and availability is described by 

police sources as increasing or stable everywhere. 

Users continue to constitute a large, ethnically 

diverse group. Four areas (Massachusetts, 

Delaware, Ohio, and Colorado) report a noticeable 

increase in the number of street sellers of marijuana. The identities of sellers differ at each location. 

Prices vary with quality of the product, and police 

report a wide diversity even within the same area 

or market. For example, in Boston police note that 

suburban teens are being sold a stronger, indoor 

grown and more expensive product, while inner 

city kids get less potent, less expensive Jamaican or 

Colombian marijuana. 

Miami sources report increased international 

trafficking, reflected in the number of seizures of 

"mules" (human couriers) that have swallowed 

condoms filled with marijuana and hashish and are 

attempting to enter the United States from Jamaica. 

This is a new development in the trafficking of 

marijuana, and one that will continue to be monitored. We are concerned because there does not 

appear to be enough profit to justify the practice. 

Cleveland police also report quantities of marijuana 

coming through regular mail and Federal Express 

deliveries. 

Treatment providers (Table 9) 

There is little change in the number of persons 

in treatment with marijuana a's the primary drug of 

abuse, which remains relatively small compared to 

heroin and cocaine, in all of the regions. However, 

Region IV reports the highest percentage (26%) of 

clients in treatment for marijuana (which is more 

than four times the percentage reported in Region 

I). The drugs most commonly cited as combined 

with marijuana are alcohol and cocaine. 

Reflecting reports by ethnographers and police, 

marijuana users in treatment are a diverse group. A 

large number in all regions are over 30, but, with 

the exception of programs reached in Region I, 

anywhere from a fifth to almost half are under 20 

years old. Clients in treatment for marijuana abuse 

are most likely to be males and are generally 

novices to treatment. In Region I, the majority of 

clients are African American, but in every other 

region, the majority of clients are white. 

The low proportion of persons entering treatment with marijuana as the primary drug of abuse 

does not necessarily reflect a low level of usage. As 

one treatment source commented, "By the time 

they get to us, they have added other, more serious 

drugs or alcohol to their repertoire and those drugs 

are the primary drug of abuse." 

OTHER DRUGS/EMERGING DRUGS 

Two emerging drugs consistently mentioned by 

many sources for this issue of Pulse Check are 

metl~amphetanline and Rohypnol. While we discussed the increase in methamphetamine use and 

manufacturing in last quarter's Pulse Check, it was 

widely reported again this quarter and we will discuss i~ briefly. 

OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 1 | 
Methamphetamine use is reported as a problem by five of the ethnographic sources (El Paso, 

San Francisco, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Newark, 

Delaware) and four of the police sources (Oregon, 

Delaware, and two in Washington State). One San 

Francisco ethnographer describes methamphetamine as the "working man's cocaine" and sees its 

use increasing among white working class groups. 

Police sources in Washington State note that 

cocaine users are switching to methamphetamine 

even though it is somewhat more expensive ($60- 

$80/gram) for several reasons: Methamphetamine is 

felt to be less adulterated than cocaine, its effects 

last considerably longer, and it is readily available 

in the Northwest and California, coming from 

Canadian, Mexican, and domestic manufacturing 

sources. One source (Yakima, Washington) notes 

that Mexican distributors have an open market with 

methamphetamine (e.g., there are no Colombian 

competitors as there are with both heroin and 

cocaine). Mexican distributors produce the drugs in 

Mexico using precursor chemicals legal in that 

country and transport them across the border for 

resale in the U.S., where they often find ready customers among current and former cocaine users. 

This increased use of methamphetamine, particularly in the West and Northwest, is reflected in 

reports of treatment providers. For example, 

Region IV providers report that 50 percent of their 

clients in treatment for cocaine abuse are also 

using methamphetamine. 

~Rohypnol is a substance which has recently 

come to the attention of Pulse Check sources, particularly those in the South and at the border. 

Rohypnol is the brand name for flunitrazepam, a 

benzodiazepine manufactured by HoffmanLaRoche that has been used in the treatment of 

sleep disorders. It has a sedative effect at appropriate doses and even higher levels (above 2 rag.), 

but after chronic use produces heavy sedation, psychomotor impairment, headaches and tremors. Its 

effects are enhanced in combination with alcohol, 

nitrous oxide, ketamine and opiates. As with other 

sedative/tranquilizers, long-term use can lead to 

physical dependence and the need for medically 

supervised withdrawal. It was moved to a Schedule 

III drug by the World Health Organization in March 

of 1995. 

Rohypnol is attractive to users for its sedative 

effects. Use has been popular in Europe since the 

1980s, particularly among cocaine users to help 

alleviate the agitation associated with cocaine 

abuse. It has appeared in Texas where the number 

of cases involving Rohypnol reported to the state 

police labs on the Southwest Border has increased 

from 31 in 1991 to 197 in 1994. It is reportedly very 

popular on Texas college campuses. In Florida, 

Rohypnol is often sold in its original bubble packaging, which makes it more attractive to youth as a 

"safe drug." In both areas it is often used in conjunction with alcohol, marijuana or cocaine and is 

most popular among young adults. As of April 

1995, the DEA has documented over 1,000 cases 

involving Rohypnol including cases in Texas, 

Arizona, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, 

and California. 

1We are indebted to Jan Maxwell and Jim Hall, members of NIDA's Community Epidemiology Work Group fl~r 

supplying us with a very informative memo on Rol~ypnol for this report. 

1 2 OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 
Table 1 

Ethnographers- Heroin 

City Incidence Who's Using A in Users Method Other Drugs Emerging Drugs Who's Selling 

Bridgeport, still high mescaline 

Connecticut 

(Geter) 

San Antonio/ 

El Paso 

(Ramos) 

Los Angeles 

(Annon.) 

San Francisco 

(Murphy) 

New York 

(Goldsmith) 

Atlanta 

(Sterk-Elifon) 

Denver 

(Anderson) 

Miami 

(Page) 

Tampa 

(Mieczkowski) 

some increase 

stable 

still rising 

still high 

increasing 

high 

increasing 

low 

15% whites from 

suburban areas 

55% African Americans 

30% Hispanics 

older users (30s and 

40s), 

Hispanics 

older users (over 35), 

70% male 

average age 30; some 

young users; many "old 

timers" 

wide variety of users 

older users reappearing; 

young experimenters 

white suburban men and 

women, both young 

(<24) and older (30-45) 

primarily Hispanic users 

few older users 

rise in number of 

young (20-30 

yrs. old) females, 

and teens 

increased use 

among late teens 

none 

new users in 20s 

more sniffing, 

though older 

users still inject 

increase in 

former crack 

users turning to 

heroin 

more weekend 

users 

none 

older users 

injecting; young 

users inhale 

primarily 

injection; some 

smoking among 

young users 

injection (90%) 

injection (80%) 

smoking (5%) 

snorting (15%) 

injection, 

inhalation 

injection 

dominates; some 

smoking 

injecting 

injection, little 

smoking 

injection 

older injectors 

using it in a 

speedball; young 

inhalers also use 

powder or crack 

cocaine in 

speedball 

cocaine in 

speedball 

alcohol; 

cocaine in 

speedball; 

crack 

cocaine in 

speedball; 

alcohol 

cocaine;crack 

cocaine in 

speedball 

Rohypnol, 

methamphetamine 

methamphetamines 

LSD among high 

school and college 

kids; 

methamphetamine 

amphetamines 

none 

MDMA 

Rohypnol 

young (15-25) African 

American males; 

Hispanics in Hispanic 

neighborhoods 

Mexican Mafia and 

Texas Syndicate 

many sellers from all 

types of communities 

single drug markets; 

Latinos, African 

Americans, whites all 

sell 

on Lower East Side, 

African American and 

Puerto Rican youth 

sell; strong turf issues 

Sellers are older 

African American 

males; some are white 

males. 

more drive-by 

purchases as suburban 

users buy in city; 

Mexican Nationals 30- 

45 

some Colombian 

sellers 

dealer ethnicity 

corresponds to user 

ethnicity, no specific 

groups 
__i_ 

Table 1 

Ethnographers- Heroin 

City Incidence Who's Using A in Users Method Emerging Drugs Who's Selling 

Trenton/Newark stable 

(French) 

New York 

(Galea) 

Austin, TX 

(Maxwell) 

Newark, DE 

(Fazzaglini) 

stable 

stable 

increasing 

inner city users, though 

more suburban users 

evident 

primarily the older 

traditional user 

average age 36 years; 

primarily male, white 

(34%), ttispanic (50%) 

more middleand working 

class whites; 

more women 

none 

none 

more white, 

middle class 

users; more teens 

in nightclubs 

using 

inhaling (90%) 

injecting (10%) 

injection, 

inhaling 

injecting 

snorting; 

injecting 

• Other Drugs 

Robitussin DM 

among kids; 

LSD 

PCP 

cocaine in 

speedball 

Rohypnol 

cocaine; 

benzodiazepines 

LSD among high 

school kids 

none 

LSD; inhalants; 

other 

hallucinogens; 

antidepressants 

Hispanics and African 

Americans; a single 

drag market 

former crack sellers 

into heroin sales 

Mexican 

dealers/importers 

wide range of sellers; 

some evidence of 

increasing turf wars in 

Philadelphia 
Table 1 (cont'd.) 

Ethnographers - Heroin 

City Purchase Amount 

Bridgeport, .$10/bag 

Connecticut 

(Geter) 

San Antonio/E1 Paso $10, $20/spoon or 

(Ramos) balloon 

Los Angeles $2,500/oz. for black tar 

(Annon.) 

San Francisco 520/bag; 580- 

(Murphy) $100/gram 

New York $5, $10/bag 

(Goldsmith) 

Atlanta $25-540/bag 

(Sterk-Elifon) 

Denver $20/"pi11" 

(Anderson) 

Miami $10/bag 

(Page) 

Tampa DK, it is still rare 

(Mieczkowski) 

Trenton/Newark $15/$35 mg. 

(French) 

New York $3, 55, $10/bag 

(Galea) 

Austin, 'IX $10-$15 

(Maxwell) 

Newark, DE $10/bag 

(Pazzaglini) 

Purity 

high 

variable; higher at the border 

70-80% 

increasing 

high 

increasing; almost exclusively 

black tar 

average, though some higher 

purity appears periodically 

60-70% 

high 

generally high 

Other/Comments 

Many sellers in housing project areas are selling heroin and crack together. Heroin sales 

are prospering, selling at same rate as crack. 

Some younger users smoking, but even in this group, injection dominates. 

Dramatic rise in methamphetamine use among arrestees 

Methamphetamine use is up among working class groups, seen as "working man's 

cocaine." New interest in heroin among younger (20s) users. 

Remains plentiful as a "curbside" drug, but also available in larger quantities, often 

through well-known indoor places. 

Drastic increase in number of crack users who now use heroin. Also sees sales of 

heroin by young crack dealers. 

First admissions to detox programs are primarily inhaling the drag; more middle class 

users are appearing. 

Former crack dealers have entered the market and there are complaints that they "are 

mixing it with crazy stuff" and/or " are not cutting it right." 

"The East Coast epidelnic has not hit;" still basically same users and same treatment 

demand. 

Increase in weekend experimental use among teens and middle class users (at parties, 

concerts, etc.); antidepressants like Prozac and lithium carbonate combined with LSD. 

O'1 
_..t 

O~ Table 2 

Police - Heroin 

City 

New York 

P.D. 

Yakima, WA 

DEA 

Eugene, OR 

P.D. 

Boston 

P.D. 

Seattle, WA 

P.D. 

Los Angeles 

P.D. 

Miami, FL 

P.D. 

Incidence 

up 

leveled off 

slight increase 

up 

stable 

stable 

Who's Using 

traditional older users, some 

new young users sniffing 

traditional older user 

traditional users 

Cleveland, OH up traditional older user 

P.D. 

.up traditional older user 

slight increase 

Denver, CO 

ED. 

Delaware . 

State Police 

traditional user 

A in Users 

more young 

users 

Hone 

none 

fewer new users 

none 

Method 

older users inject; 

young users snort 

injection 

injection; some 

inhaling 

injection; snorting 

injection 

Other Drugs 

cocaine in 

speedball 

cocaine 

Emerging Drugs 

pharmaceuticals: 

Xanex, Klonipin, 

percocette 

J 

methamphetamine 

LSD 

"mushrooms" 

methamphetamine 

Dilaudid 

Ritalin 

Who's Selling 

varies by neighborhood; 

some Dominicans from 

outside city selling large 

quantities 

Mexican controlled on 

upper sales level; anyone 

sells at street level 

Mexican and white dealers 

active street sales, mostly 

black tar 

bulk dealers are 

Colombian; street sellers 

are African American 

none injection cocaine in street sales and house sales 

speedball evident; sold with cocaine 

none injection Mexican nationals, lots of 

street sale activity 

none injection some Dilaudid active street level sales 
Table 2 (cont'd.) 

Police - Heroin 

City 

New York City 

P.D. 

Yakima, WA 

DEA 

Eugene, OR 

P.D. 

Boston 

P.D. 

Seattle, WA 

P.D. 

Miami, FL 

P.D. 

Purchase Amount 

54,000-$6,000/oz. 

520/"tabs" 

540/1/2 gram 

varies from $4-56/bag to 

515/bag; high purity is 

$100-$150/gram 

580/5100 gram 

$10, $20/bag 

$125,000/kilo 

good 

Purity 

low; heavily cut 

varies depending on both 

buyer and the seller 

poor: 2-4% at street level 

Cleveland, OH 

P.D. 

Denver, CO $10, $20/bag good 

P.D. $65/balloon 

Delaware $50-$100/bundle 

State Police 

Other/Comments 

Fifty-bag units ("brick") available for 5200-300; more 

expensive for white suburban buyers; bag markings seen 

on high purity heroin 

Very seldom sees Southeast Asian heroin 

Amounts up to a gram in glassine bags. Large (11 lbs.) 

bust of Colombian heroin on Amtrak to N.Y.C. 

_.x 

",4 
_....t 

oo 

REGION 

I 

N=5 

II 

N=12 

III 

N=15 

IV 

N=16 

Region I: 

Region II: 

Region III: 

Region IV: 

Table 3 

Treatment Providers 

Drug Use Patterns 

DRUG: HEROIN 

% clients 

w/drug listed 

as 1 ° drug 

of abuse 

2=30% 

X=24% 

5(=6% 

X=14% 

A over 

last year 

increase 75% 

no change 25% 

decrease 

increase 37% 

no change 63% 

decrease 0% 

increase 21% 

no change 79% 

decrease 0% 

% clients 

injecting 

X=44% 

X=68% 

X=73% 

% clients 

inhaling/ 

smoking 

2--56% 

X=32% 

2=27% 

Other Drugs 

Used (% Mentioned) 

cocaine 

marijuana 

alcohol 

other 

cocaine 

marijuana 

alcohol 

tranquilizers 

other 

cocaine 

marijuana 

alcohol 

tranquilizers 

speed 

amphetamines 

other 

increase 20% 

no change 73% 

decrease 7% 

X=73% X=27% cocaine 

marijuana 

alcohol 

tranquilizers 

hallucinogens 

speed 

amphetamines 

other 

80% 

20% 

60% 

20% 

75% 

38% 

75% 

13% 

25% 

43% 

50% 

93% 

14% 

7% 

7% 

14% 

47% 

20% 

80% 

27% 

7% 

7% 

20% 

20% 

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania 

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, 

Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, D.C. 

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, IC~ansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota 

Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon 
Table 3 (cont'd.) 

Treatment Providers 

Characteristics of Users by Drug of Abuse 

DRUG: HEROIN 

Percent by Age Percent by Race/Ethnicity Percent by Sex Prior Treatment 

REGION under African- Hispanic 

20 21-30 31+ American White and Other 

I 5(=0% 5:=21% X=79% X=27% 5(=60% 2=13% 

N=5 

II 

N=12 

III 

N=15 

5:=3% 

5(=2% 

IV 5:=6% 

N=16 

5:=29% 

5(=25% 

2=26% 

5:=68% 

5(=73% 

2=68% 

5:=33% 

5:=33% 

5:=6% 

5:=64% 

5:=62% 

2=84% 

5(=3% 

5:=5% 

2=10% 

Male Female 

2=79% 2=21% 

5:=64% 5:=36% 

2=76% 5:=24% 

5:=69% X=31% 

Yes No 

5(=82% 2=18% 

2=66% 2=34% 

5(=83% 2=17% 

2=50% 2=50% 

ID 
O 

Table 4 

Ethnographers- Cocaine 

Bridgeport, 

Connecticut 

(Geter) 

San Antonio/ 

E1 Paso 

(Ramos) 

Los Angeles 

(Annon.) 

San Francisco 

(Murphy) 

New York 

(Goldsmith) 

Atlanta 

(Sterk-Elifon) 

Denver 

(Koester) 

Miami 

(Page) 

City Incidence Who's Using A in Users Method Other Drugs Emerging Who's Selling 

Drugs 

high; powder most heroin 

popular in areas 

outside inner city 

stable 

slight decrease 

powder: 25 yrs. old and 

older; suburban market except 

for speed balls 

crack: 17 to 50 yrs. old; 

African American and 

Hispanic 

stable 

still popular 

still high 

stable 

stable 

African Americans use crack 

African Americans 25-35 yrs. 

old; 50/50 male/female 

~: high school kids, 

whites 

crack: poor, working class 

users, older 

all ethnic groups 

late teens, early 20s, whites; 

older African Americans 

African Americans; 20-30 

yrs. old; younger for crack 

inner city African Americans, 

30-40 yrs. old 

more female 

users 

more women 

using crack 

none 

cocaine is seen 

as "going out of 

style" 

none 

none 

none 

none 

crack and 

snorting most 

common; 

injection less 

common 

smoking; 

injecting in 

speedball 

smoking (90%) 

snorting, 

smoking, smaller 

percentage 

injecting 

smoking 

smoking; some 

injection 

kids smoking; 

older users inject 

or snort 

smoking; less 

injection 

heroin 

heroin in 

speedball; alcohol; 

marijuana; heroin 

heroin in 

speedball; 

marijuana 

none 

MDMA 

none 

same sellers as 

heroin for crack; 

powder sold by 

beeper contact and 

delivered 

Mexican Mafia 

and Texas 

Syndicate 

same sellers as 

heroin 

white sellers for 

powder; African 

American or 

Latinos for crack 

variety of groups: 

Colombians, 

Dominicans, 

Puerto Ricans; 

many markets 

HCI: white dealers 

crack: young 

African 

Americans; some 

Asian sellers 
Table 4 

Ethnographers- Cocaine 

City 

Tampa 

(Mieczkowski) 

Incidence 

stable 

Who's Using 

crack: young African 

Americans males (20s) 

HCI: white, 20s-30s, male 

A in Users 

none 

Method 

smoking; 

snorting 

Other Drugs 

marijuana, 

alcohol, 

MDMA, 

LSD 

Emerging 

Drugs 

none 

Who's Selling 

Trenton/Newark 

(French) 

New York 

(Galea) 

stable 

up slightly (crack) 

users late 20s and 30s 

few teens, but wide variety of 

ages represented 

fewer young 

(under 20) users 

for crack 

none 

smoking; some 

young snorters 

smoking 

African Americans 

and Hispanics; 

young sellers who 

don't use 

themselves 

LSD 

Rufinol 

young sellers; 

some new 

packaging 

,~ustin, TX 

(Maxwell) 

Newark, DE 

(Pazzaglini) 

up (crack) 

up (crack) 

crack used by African 

Americans; 20s and 30s, 

powder used by whites and 

Hispanics 

% injecting is up smoking 

injecting 

smoking, 

injecting, 

snorting 

heroin 

marijuana 

methamphetamine among 

users under 25 

Mexican Mafia, 

local dealers 

wide variety of 

sellers 
I'O 

ro 

Table 4 (cont'd.) 

Ethnographers- Cocaine 

City 

Bridgeport, 

Connecticut 

(Geter) 

San Antonio/E1 Paso 

(Ramos) 

Los Angeles 

(Annon.) 

San Francisco 

(Murphy) 

New York 

(Goldsmith) 

Atlanta 

(Sterk-Elifon) 

Denver 

(Anderson) 

Miami 

gage) 

Tampa 

(Mieczkowski) 

Trenton/Newark 

~rench) 

New York 

(Galea) 

Austin, TX 

(Maxwell) 

Purchase Amount 

HCI $5 and $10/bag; 

$3, $5 for crack 

$10, $20/balloon, piece 

HCI: $18,000- 

$23,000/kilo 

crack: $425/oz. 

$60-$80/gram 

$25/1/4 gram 

$5/rock 

$80/gram 

$20/rock (smallest 

purchase unit) 

$120-$180@ram HCI 

$60-$100/gram 

$10/"clip" 

Purity 

good 

variable 

50-70% (crack) 

70-80% (powder) 

good 

good 

high 

40-50% 

high 

Other/Comments 

Housing projects have become "a mecca" for sales, even after destruction of one of the most 

notorious projects, Father Panick Village. 

Lots of powder around, price has dropped slightly. 

Many opportunities for newcomers; older markets tied to heroin markets; many users buying 

HCI and making crack for their own use. 

Police have been trying to crack down on the open drug markets, but they just move a few 

blocks away. 

Crack is now what is available, though users in the area would prefer powdered cocaine. 

LSD, Ecstasy(MDMA) popular among some high school students 

The glamour has worn off crack use among people under 18; it has become'"passe." Older users 

are buying HCI in bulk to base their own crack, particularly in urban areas. 

There appears to be a new processing method for crack where it is pressed into a "slab" and 

scored into $10 "clips"; resembles a stick of gum. 

Crack is everywhere. Long-term users are more noticeably impaired; there is more prostitution 

associated with its use. 
Table 5 

Police - Cocaine 

City Incidence Who's Using A in Users Method Other Drugs Emerging Drugs Who's Selling 

New York City stable traditional set of users, wide none smoking; 

P.D. ethnic variety injecting; snorting 

Yakima, WA all groups, all ages methamphetamine Mexicans 

Eugene, OR 

P.D. 

Boston, MA 

P.D. 

Seattle, WA 

DEA 

Los Angeles 

P.D. 

Miami, FL 

P,D. 

Cleveland, OH 

P.D. 

Denver, CO 

P.D. 

Delaware 

State Police 

crack: very low 

HCI: still high 

stable 

stable 

stable 

up 

up 

stable 

wide diversity in users 

everyone, users from all 

ethnicities; all income 

groups 

wide diversity among inner 

city groups 

young adults to early 30s 

less use in upper 

income groups 

none 

snorting; little 

injecting 

snorted or smoked 

heroin in 

speedball 

methamphetamine methamphetamine 

none snorting, smoking, heroin methamphetamine distinct "score areas" in 

injecting city 

none smoking, snorting LSD 

crack dominates 

smoking, no 

injecting except as 

speedball 

none 

none 

heroin 

snorting, smoking 

LSD 

methamphetamine 

Colombians sell bulk 

amounts; many ethnicities 

sell street level amounts. 

young street sellers; also 

sales in crack houses; gang 

involvement 

gangs involved in street 

sales 

I'O 
Table 5 (cont'd.) 

Police - Cocaine 

City Purchase Amount Purity Other/Comments 

New York $19-$25,000/kilo 

P.D. 

Yakima, WA $40/gram (HC1) 90% at kilo level Many cocaine users are switching to methamphetamine. 

DEA. It is more expensive ($60-$80/gram), but less adulterated. 

Mexicans have entered the methamphetamine market. 

Eugene, OR $900-$1,000/oz. Many more people making their own crack; 

P.D. $20-$42/gram. methamphetamine is the news in this area, both coming 

from Mexico and produced in U.S. 

Boston, MA 

P.D. 

Seattle, WA $40-$150/gram HCI variable Methamphetamlne is coming into area from both Canada 

DEA $20-$40/gram crack and Mexico 

Los Angeles 

P.D: 

Cleveland, Oit Many seizures of crack this quarter. Fewer seizures of 

P.D. cocaine HCI. 

Denver, CO $10-$20/rock variable 

P.D. 

Delaware $20/rock variable 

State Police $350-$500/1/4 oz. 

Miami, FL $14-$16,000/kilo variable; ounce level sales Several arrests of "mules" and large seizures by Coast 

P.D. 40-50% Guard. 
Table 6 

Treatment Providers 

Drug Use Patterns 

DRUG: COCAINE/CRACK 

REGION 

I 

N=5 

II 

N=12 

III 

N=15 

IV 

N=16 

%clients 

w/drug listed 

as l~drug 

of abuse 

2=70% 

Y(=38% 

2=23% 

2=23% 

/k over 

last year 

increase 25% 

no change 75% 

decrease 0% 

increase 27% 

no change 64% 

decrease 9% 

increase 20% 

no change 73% 

decrease 7% 

increase 19% 

no change 75% 

decrease 6% 

% clients 

injecting 

2=31% 

5:=28% 

5(=27% 

t 

% clients 

inhaling/ 

smoking 

X=69% 

5[=94% 

X=72% 

X=75% 

Other Drugs 

Used (% Mentioned) 

mariiuana 25% 

alcohol 75% 

other 25% 

heroin 9% 

marijuana 73% 

alcohol 100% 

other 18% 

heroin 7% 

mariiuana 60% 

alcohol 87% 

tranquilizers 7% 

amphetamines 13% 

heroin 6% 

marijuana 56% 

alcohol 81% 

tranquilizers 13% 

hallucinogens 6% 

amphetamines 50% 

other 6% 

Region I: 

Region II: 

Region III: 

Region IV: 

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania 

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, 

Louisiana, Oklahoma, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, D.C. 

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North and South Dakota 

Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon 

¢J1 
REGION 

I 

N=5 

II 

N=12 

III 

N=15 

IV 

N=16 

under 

20 

2=o% 

2=10% 

X=7% 

2=16% 

Table 6 (cont'd.) 

Treatment Providers 

Characteristics of Users by Drug of Abuse 

DRUG: COCAINE/CRACK 

Percent by Age 

21.-30 

5(--30% 

2-40% 

X=47% 

2=35% 

31+ 

X=70% 

2=50% 

~2=46% 

2=49% 

Percent by Race/Ethnicity 

AfricanAmerican 

X=42% 

5(=44% 

2=3o% 

White 

X=42% 

2=53% 

2=67% 

i~=64% 

Hispanic 

and Other 

~=16% 

2=3% 

2=3% 

2=18% 

Percent by Sex Prior Treatment 

Yes 

X=70% 

2=48% 

5(=58% 

2=1s% 

Male Female 

X=79% X=21% 

2=64% 2=36% 

2=67% X=33% 

2=63% 2=37% 2=36% 

No 

2=30% 

2=52% 

2=42% 

2=64% 
City 

Bridgeport, 

Connect icut 

(Geter) 

San Antonio/ 

E1 Paso 

(Ramos) 

Table 7 

Ethnographers - Marijuana 

Incidence Who's Using A in Users 

increasing 

stable 

all ages, all groups 

older users of other drags; 

young "party-goers," gang 

members 

none 

none 

Method Other Drugs Emerging Drugs Who's Selling 

joints; blunts 

Los Angeles stable evenly divided among none 

(Annon.) ethnicities; 40% under 18 

San Francisco up many high school kids, but none 

(Murphy) generally diverse user group 

increasing wide variety of users none blunts; joints 

increasing 

stable 

stable 

New York 

(Goldsmith) 

Atlanta 

(Sterk-Elifon) 

high school students; also 

common among users of 

cocaine 

primarily users over 30 

older users of other drugs 

use is distributed across 

race/gender lines 

everyone; no particular 

community of users 

Denver 

(Anderson) 

Miami 

(Page,) 

Tampa 

(Mieczkowski) 

Trenton/Newark 

(French) 

more young 

users 

none 

some increased 

use among teens 

none 

none 

stable 

increasing blunts 

mescaline 

cocaine 

LSD 

alcohol 

locally grown; 

variety of sellers 

Jamaicans, Colombians; 

different sellers than for 

other drugs 

",4 
I'O 

CO Table 7 

Ethnographers - Marijuana 

New York 

(Galea) 

City Incidence Who's Using A in Users Method Other Drugs Emerging Drugs Who's Selling 

LSD 

Austin, TX 

(Maxwell) 

Newark, DE 

(Pazzaglini) 

high 

'increasing 

increasing 

everyone 

youth, particularly African 

Americans 

everyone 

none 

none 

more teens; more 

working class 

users 

alcohol 

PCP 

Rohypnol ~ 

Dominicans. Streets sales 

are of poor quality; hash 

isavailable. 

Local sources sell poor 

quality often mixed with 

other things. Dealers from 

MD and VA bring higher 

quality marijuana into area 

for sale through local 

distributors. 
Table 7, (cont'd.) 

Ethnographers- Marijuana 

City 

Bridgeport, 

Connecticut 

(Geter) 

San Antonio/El Paso 

(Ramos) 

Los Angeles 

(Annon.) 

San Francisco 

(Murphy) 

New York 

(Goldsmith) 

Atlanta 

(Sterk-Elifon) 

Purchase Amount Purity Other/Comments 

variety available; variable Variety of weights available on street: 1/4 oz., ounces, even pounds 

primarily $10/bag (2 

ioints) 

At border, marijuana coming across the border with illegal farm workers. It is 

offered as part of a deal by drag dealers: dealers help them get across in 

exchange for the workers bringing a shipment. 

$100-$300/oz. variable 

$700-$1,000/1b. 

(Mexican) 

$3,000-$4,000/lb. 

(sinsemilla) 

$400-$500/oz. 

$3/joint 

very good Many marijuana users also use MDMA, LSD, other hallucinogens. Lots of 

interest in MDMA and methamphetamines, especially among middle class whites 

in 20s and 30s. 

Derwgr 

(Anderson) 

Miami still expensive high Sold in little green ziploc bags. 

(Page) 

bO 

t,O 
¢,.O 

O Table 7, (cont'd.) 

Ethnographers- Marijuana 

City Purchase Amount Purity Other/Comments 

Trenton/Newark S1/joint Cmatch- variable Blunts may be mixes of marijuana and other things, but often just marijuana. 

(French) sticks"); $10 bag = 3- 

5 joints 

Tampa $90-8100/oz. for variable LSD available in microdots/blotters at $3-$5/80-100 microgram with logos like 

(Mieczkowski) regular quality; "The Simpsons." 

S250-S275/oz. for 

sinsemilla 

New York S10/bag variable Iligher quality product sold to known customers, not in public sales 

(Galea) 

Austin, Tx The market is glutted with marijuana; it is everywhere 

(Maxwell) 

Newark, DE Local varieties are poor. MD and VA source 

(Pazzaglini) varieties are higher quality. 
Table 8 

Police - Marijuana 

City Incidence 

New York City increasing 

P.D. 

Yakima, WA ve~ high 

DEA 

Eugene, OR stable 

P.D. 

Boston, MA increasing 

P.D. 

Seattle, WA stable 

P.D. 

stable 

Who's Using 

everyone; it is the most 

commonly abused substance 

everyone; especially popular 

among young users 

everyone 

everyone 

A in Users 

none 

nolle 

none 

younger users; 

more open use 

none 

Method Other Drugs 

methamphetamine 

LSD 

Emerging Drugs 

methamphetamine 

Who's Selling 

Mexicans and local white 

sellers who grow it indoors 

most locally grown, some 

Mexican 

young sellers (as young as 

junior high school age) 

Miami, FL everyone none varies by community 

P.D. 

Cleveland, OH increasing more diversity in steroids Street sales, bulk seizures 

P.D. users increasing. 

Denver, CO increasing everyone none lots of street comer sales 

P.D. 

Delaware increasing 

State Police 

everyone none street sales as well as 

networks of contact sales 
Table 8 (cont'd.) 

Police - Marijuana 

City Purchase Amount Purity Other/Comments 

New York City $3,000/1b. for high good 

P.D. quality; $20/bag 

Yakima, WA $700/lb. (Mexican) Mexican is low quality; local Mexican have found fewer problems with distributing 

P.D. $2,000/Ib. (local indoor has high THC content methamphetamine. There are no Colombians, etc. to 

grown) provide competition. 

Eugene, OR $15/gram Local is high quality; 

P.D. 540-550/1/8 oz. Mexican quality s poor. 

$300-$500/oz. 

Boston, MA $10-$50/unit bag; Suburban kids are getting the stronger, indoor-grown 

P.D. pounds also available marijuana; inner city sources are Jamaican and 

Colombian, which is less strong. 

Seattle, WA price varies, is higher variable with growing season 

DEA now 

Miami, FL 550/1/4 oz. good Have been seizures of "mules" who swallowed condoms 

P.D. $20/small envelope of marijuana and hashish from Jamaica. 

Cleveland, OH high Lots coming into area through deliveries (mail and 

P.D. Federal Express) and through airports. 

Denver, CO good Smoked in joints; no blunts seen. 

P.D. 

Delaware $150/oz. good 

Stale Police 
REGION 

I 

N=5 

II 

N=12 

III 

N=15 

IV 

N=16 

Region I: 

Region II: 

Region III: 

Region IV: 

Table 9 

Treatment Providers 

Drug Use Patterns 

DRUG: MARIJUANA 

% clients 

w/drug listed 

as 1 ° drug 

of abuse 

2=6% 

~=16% 

X=21% 

X=26% 

A over 

last year 

increase 0% 

no change 100% 

decrease 0% 

increase 0% 

no change 100% 

decrease 0% 

increase 7% 

no change 93% 

decrease 0% 

increase 20% 

no change 73% 

decrease 7% 

Other Drugs 

Used 

alcohol 100% 

cocaine 20% 

alcohol 100% 

tranquilizers 10% 

cocaine 27% 

alcohol 87% 

tranquilizers 7% 

heroin 7% 

cocaine 20% 

alcohol 87% 

tranquilizers 7% 

hallucinogens 7% 

amphetamines 40% 

other 7% 

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, 

Vermont, Pennsylvania 

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, North and South Carolina, 

Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, 

D.C. 

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, 

North and South Dakota 

Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, California, Idaho, New Mexico, 

Washington, Oregon 
60 

4~ cl 

ffl 

O 

O 

I 

T 

"-4 

I 

g-. 

C3 

Table 9 (cont'd.) 

Treatment Providers 

Characteristics of Users by Drug of Abuse 

DRUG: MARIJUANA 

Percenl by Age Percent by Race/Ethnicity Percent by Sex Prior Treatment 

REGION under African- Hispanic 

20 21-30 31+ American White and Other Yes No 

I X=0% X=38% 2=62% X=67% X=17% X=16% X=10% 2=90% 

N=5 

II 

N=12 

III 

N=15 

IV 

N=16 

2=24% 

X=15% 

2=41% 

2=26% 

2=48% 

2=35% 

2=50% 

X=37% 

2=24% 

2=36% 

2=25% 

x=8% 

2=59% 

2=71% 

2=75% 

2=5% 

2=4% 

2=17% 

Male Female 

2=88% 2=12% 

2=74% J~=26% 

X=69% X=31% 

2=64% 2=36% 

2=25% 

2=36% 

2=23% 

2=75% 

2=64% 

X--77% 
emaih askncjrs@aspensys.com 

fax: 301-251-5212 

P.O. Box 6000 

Rockville, MD 20849-6000 

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distributes Office of National Drug Control Policy 

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answers requests for specific drug-related data 

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advises requesters on data availability and of other 

information resources that may meet their needs 

maintains a public reading room 
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