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Office of National 

Drug Control Policy 

Pulse Check 

National Trends in Drug Abuse 

March 1994 

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Office of National 

Drug Control Policy 

Pulse Check 

National Trends in Drug Abuse 

March 1994 

Prepared by Dana Hunt, Ph.D. 

Abt Associates, Incorporated 

Under Contract to ONDCP 

Table of Contents 

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

Description of the Sources .............................................................................................................. 2 

Ethnographic sources ................................................................................................................. 2 

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

Police sources ............................................................................................................................. 2 

Results of the Pulse Check Completed February 1994 ........................................................... 3 

Heroin ...................................................................................................................................... 3 

Ethnographers ............................................................................... . .............................. 3 

Treatment providers ..................................................................................................... 3 

Police sources ............................................................................................................... 4 

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 4 

Ethnographers .............................................................................................................. 4 

Treatment Providers ..................................................................................................... 5 

Police sources ............................................................................................................... 5 

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

Ethnographic sources ................................................................................................... 5 

Treatment Providers ..................................................................................................... 6 

Police sources ............................................................................................................... 6 

Other Drugs/Emerging Drugs ........................................................................................................ 7 

July 1993 m January 1994: Some Trends Over the Past Six Months .................................. 8 

NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 

Introduction 

In the spring of 1992, the Office of National 

Drug Control Policy directed Abt Associates to 

examine the implications of the increased availability of high quality heroin, which, at that time 

was appearing in many areas across the country. 

Did this indicate that the U.S. was entering a 

new heroin epidemic as encountered in the 

1970s and early 1980s, an epidemic which produced a large cohort of new users in a short time 

span? Turning to existing data sets including the 

National Household Survey of Drug Abuse and 

the Monitoring the Future Study (High School 

Senior Survey), Abt researchers found that the 

answer was still incomplete. Because these data 

sources are large annual survey efforts, they are 

not designed to quickly identify changes in drug 

use or the availability of drugs. Therefore, Abt 

Associates was directed to begin a series of telephone contacts with persons around the country 

who were "on the front lines" of the drug problem, asking them about what they were seeing in 

terms of heroin use and distribution. These 

sources included drug ethnographers, epidemiologists working in the substance abuse field, drug 

treatment providers, and police working in the 

area of narcotics enforcement. These contacts 

provided information that was of great use in 

understanding the current heroin situation and 

the issues surrounding it, so ONDCP instituted a 

quarterly series of such contacts and expanded 

the inquiry to include cocaine, marijuana, and 

other emerging drugs. 

The term used to describe these conversations is 

the "Pulse Check," because they provide a current, subjective profile of drug use and availability in contrast to the comparatively dated, objective profile provided by surveys. The data are 

collected in conversations with roughly the same 

group of ethnographers/ethnographic sources and 

police contacts each time. The sample of treatment providers, described below, changes somewhat each quarter, both to avoid undue burden 

on busy program operators and to vary the 

reporting. 

Clearly, the Pulse Check is a complement to, not 

a substitute for, traditional data sources. The 

sample of treatment providers is drawn from a 

systematic sample of programs, but the list of 

ethnographic and police sources is not. They are 

derived entirely from researchers and field contacts known to have current and accurate access 

to information about their respective areas. The 

conversations follow a general guideline of topics 

for ease in reporting, though sources frequently 

expand on topics not covered in the guide or 

have nothing to report on a certain topic. 

The following sections briefly describe each data 

source, summarize the results of the Pulse Check 

for the period ending in February 1994, and discuss the past year's trends. While each of the 

sources described below views the drug scene 

from a somewhat different vantage, eight repetitions of the Pulse Check cycle show a strong 

association between sources, adding credence to 

their reliability. 

1. Dana Eser Hunt and William Rhodes, Ti'acking the Incidence of Heroin Use. Office of National Drug Control Policy, August 1993. 

2. All calls are conducted by Dr. Dana Hunt or by other Abt staff members familiar with the subject matter. The conversations vary from 

15-60 minutes. Dr. Hunt reviews the notes on all conversations, calls back persons for whom she may have additional follow-up questions, and summarizes the information. She then prepares a brief narrative and summary tables, which are delivered to ONDCP. 

NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 1 
Description of the Sources 

Ethnographic sources. Ethnographers, epidemiologists, and ethnographic sources from multiple 

urban areas are included as sources for the Pulse 

Check. Ethnography is a well-established qualitative research technique used extensively in the 

drug research field. Unlike survey methods or 

highly structured observation methods, in 

ethnography the social scientist observes the 

activity "on its own terms;" that is, without preconceived notions about the behavior observed. 

It is important to understand, however, that this 

is not undercover work; in ethnography, the 

social scientist enters the milieu, records and 

describes it, but is fully revealed as someone doing 

research. 

Three types of reporters comprise this gro-p. 

Some are among the most experienced drug 

ethnographers in the field, working directly with 

drug users and dealers. In many other cases, they 

are researchers, often epidemiologists, who have 

direct access to ethnographic data in their area. 

Finally, some are persons working in a field site, 

collecting similar information, but not specifically trained in the field of ethnography. Callers 

attempt to contact sixteen reporters in fourteen 

cities for each Pulse Check, though not all 

respondents are available in each quarter. For 

example, the data reported this quarter represent 

conversations with twelve ethnographic 

reporters. 

Treatment providers. The sample of treatment 

providers is derived from the 1991 files of the 

National Drug Abuse Treatment Unit Survey 

(NDATUS). NDATUS divides the country into 

four regions consisting of the following states: 

• Region 1: Connecticut, Maine, 

Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, 

Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, 

Pennsylvania (N= 1594 or 22 percent of all 

• programs) 

• Region 2: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, 

Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, North and 

South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, 

Louisiana, Oklahoma, Maryland, Delaware, 

Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C. 

(N=1994 or 27 percent of all programs) 

• Region 3: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, 

Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, 

Missouri, Nebraska, North and South 

Dakota (N=2163 or 30 percent of all 

programs) 

• Region 4: Colorado, Montana, Utah, 

Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, California, 

Idaho, New Mexico, "Washington, Oregon 

(N=1563 or 21 percent of all programs) 

Each region contains a similar number of programs, so the areas are treated equally. Currently, 

fifteen programs per region are identified each 

quarter and approximately ten are contacted, 

with the remainder serving as backups, should a 

program choose not to respond. The sample is 

stratified so it has an equal number of small and 

large programs. Of the facilities sampled, 19 percent are residential programs, 59 percent outpatient, 21 percent multi-modality, and one is a 

detoxification 24-hour care program. Eighteen 

percent offer drug abuse services exclusively, and 

the remainder provide both alcohol and drug 

treatment services. 

Police sources. The list of law enforcement 

sources is derived from recommendations by drug 

researchers and other contacts in the field. They 

represent officers working on narcotics squads, 

DEA special agents, and other special drug task 

force agents. 

2 NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 
Results of the Pulse Check Completed 

February 1994 

HEROIN (Tables 1-3) 

Ethnographers. The incidence of heroin use 

appears to be at a steady state in the Northwest 

but increasing somewhat in the Southwest, the 

West, and parts of the South. These areas had 

reported no increase in the last few cycles, but are 

now experiencing a rise in heroin use. Users are 

consistently described as older and most often 

male, though there are reports of younger users, 

often inhaling the drug, from New York, New 

Jersey, Oakland, and Atlanta. While reports continue to come in about more users inhaling heroin, intravenous use still appears to predominate, 

and speedballing (combining heroin and cocaine 

intravenously) appears to be the norm almost 

everywhere. 

with a guard often posted to specifically exclude 

crack users. 

The distribution of heroin does not appear to 

have changed its character in most areas. 

However, in New York, there is an increasing separation of the crack and heroin distribution locations due to the fear of both police attention and 

"crazier customers" associated with the crack 

trade. The New York source reports that, in fact, 

there are a number of former crack distributors 

who are switching locations and drugs (to heroin) 

because of these two factors. On the other hand, 

in Connecticut, cocaine in its powered form and 

heroin are being marketed in the same location 

for speedballing, with the rather flashy bag markings of "Murder One" and "Smoking Gun." 

Notable exceptions to the dominance of injection are New York and New Jersey. The reporters 

there report that admissions to treatment now 

show inhalation as the most common route of 

administration. The New York source reports that 

heroin inhalation has become the "in thing" in 

the New York nightclub drug scene and dealers 

are specifically targeting that market. This market 

was heavily targeted and ultimately controlled by 

cocaine distributors in the same way in the 1980s. 

The New York Source also describes more traditional, older users who, fearful of both HIV and 

the increased violence in drug dealing areas (generated by those the heroin users disdainfully 

described as "the crackheads,") go quickly to the 

copping area, buy, inhale the purchase, and leave. 

By inhaling, they do not have to find a shooting 

gallery or private place to inject, but can use the 

drug immediately, thus reducing the likelihood of 

arrest or victimization. However, he also notes 

that there has been an increase in the number of 

shooting galleries re-appearing in New York for 

those who are still injecting. These galleries are 

likely to be exclusively for heroin consumption, 

Heroin purity varies across areas, but is more 

often reported as high. Florida sources still report 

heroin as a fairly unusual phenomenon and the 

quality of heroin as quite low. The source in El 

Paso reports that the quality is so low that users 

complain they can barely relieve withdrawal 

symptoms ("get the edge 'off') with their usual 

dosage. These reports are in sharp contrast to the 

high purity reported in many other places. New 

York and New Jersey sources report that even 

small purchase units like $10 bags can routinely 

be as high as 40 percent pure, producing the rise 

in observations of users "nodding off" in the 

streets. Price remains constant at $5, $10 and $20 

units at the street level. 

Treatment providers. In the treatment programs 

reporting this quarter, a minority of clients report 

that heroin is their primary drug of abuse. There 

is an increase in primary heroin clients for most 

of the Region I programs (Northeast), but the 

other regions show little or no change. Again, 

most of the clients with heroin as the primary 

drug of use are injectors, though programs in 

NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 3 
Region II (Southeast) reported that a large number of their heroin clients were inhaling the drug 

prior to entry into treatment. The heroin-using 

clients are older (more than half over 30 years old 

in all regions) and most often male; the majority 

are also not new to treatment. The most commonly mentioned other drug problems of clients 

are consistently alcohol and cocaine. 

Police sources. The police contacts included in 

this Pulse Check report a steady presence of heroin in their local drug scene. Incidence of use is 

reported as up in the D.C. area, Boston, Denver, 

and Los Angeles. Police sources also note that 

there are some new, younger users, but that the 

older addict is the norm. The price per gram is 

reported at about $100, except for high purity 

(50-75 percent pure) Southeast Asian heroin, 

which is marketed at a much higher price. The 

Maryland police report that the price and purity 

of heroin differs dramatically, depending on the 

targeted buyer. Heroin intended for injection is 

sold in $10 and $20 bags of one to two milligrams 

in weight and about 8 percent purity. Heroin 

intended for inhalation is sold in 1/4 gram 

weights for as much as $100 and is 50-60 percent 

pure. 

COCAINE (Tables 4-6) 

Ethnographers. Use of both cocaine powder 

(HC1) and crack seems stable in many areas 

(including, D.C, San Francisco, Los Angeles, 

Florida). The exception is El Paso where the 

prevalence of crack use is reported as higher than 

last quarter. Crack smokers are most often 

younger than cocaine injectors. Few are teens -- 

most are in their 20s and 30s. Florida, 

Connecticut, D.C., and New York all report seeing fewer young crack users, but more women 

among crack users. Teens, however, still dominate 

the street sales market. 

Smoking crack is still the most common method 

of ingestion everywhere, although in Los Angeles 

there is some indication of movement back to 

snorting cocaine HC1. Crack in particular is consumed with alcohol, marijuana, and sedatives, 

while powder is consumed in combination with 

alcohol (if snorted) and with heroin (if injected). 

Sources often repeat that these are distinct groups 

of users. The heroin/cocaine user is more likely to 

be an older addict who has long combined the 

two drugs in a speedball; the mix or proportion of 

the two may change with the price or availability 

of one or the other. The crack user, with one 

exception, is unlikely to inject cocaine powder or 

any other drug, but is likely to consume marijuana and alcohol as part of a drug use pattern. The 

exception to this type is the female crack user 

who, in some areas, may also use heroin. 

Both Connecticut and New York report a 

increase in the number of older men -- 30-50 

years of age -- who become involved with crack 

through interaction with younger females. These 

young women, crack users themselves, engage in 

prostitution to obtain the drug and, subsequently, 

may involve the customer in obtaining and using 

it. Finally, the cocaine snorter still seems to 

reflect the profile of the 1970s and 1980s -- more 

likely white, working class or higher income, men 

and women. 

There are also three distinct classes of sellers: the 

older heroin dealer, who also sells cocaine HC1 

for injection; the teenaged crack distributoi; and 

the cocaine HC1 dealer, who may sell marijuana, 

but does not sell heroin. Prices for crack range 

from $2 per rock in San Francisco to $10 and $20 

for rocks in Florida. Prices for cocaine HCI vary 

from $40-60 per gram in New York and 

Connecticut to $125 per gram in Tampa. Most 

areas report that the quality is good, and that 

cocaine HC1 is available in larger amounts than 

was true a few months ago. Several reporters state 

again that users are "rocking it themselves"; that 

is, purchasing cocaine HC1 and making their own 

crack supply. 

4 NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 
Treatment Providers. Cocaine is clearly the primary drug of abuse among persons in treatment 

across the country. However, there does not 

appear to be an increase in the number of clients 

with cocaine as the primary drug of abuse. Very 

few of these clients are injectors; over 80 percent 

of cocaine clients in all regions were inhalers or 

smokers of the substance. As Table 6 indicates, 

many of these clients also use alcohol, marijuana, 

and heroin. The cocaine client in treatment is 

also younger than his/her heroin counterpart, 

slightly more likely to be female, and less frequently a re-admission to treatment. 

Police sources. Most police sources still report 

cocaine as the primary problem in their area. The 

price has dropped for cocaine HC1 on both coasts 

to less than $80 per gram and in some areas (New 

York, Connecticut, New Jersey) is as low as $40 

per gram. As the ethnographers also reported, this 

price drop has placed cocaine HCI for injection 

and for making crack well in the price range of 

many lower level users. This is again reflected in 

reports of users "cooking their own or "basing 

their own." Instead of buying the already finished 

product, users are buying small amounts of HC1 

(1/2 gram) and following the simple, widely 

known recipe for making crack. The Maryland 

State Police source reports that the "dealers' market" (that is, professional crack dealers) is represented by purchases of only two grams or higher. 

MARIJUANA (Tables 7-9) 

Ethnographic sources. Most areas continue to 

report a rise in marijuana use. "Blunts," which 

were first reported in the New York and D.C 

areas, have now surfaced in Los Angeles and in 

college populations in the South. The varieties of 

marijuana available are also increasing. For example, in New York marijuana from all over the 

world is widely available, though the most popular is a type from California known as "Chronic", 

which is actively marketed with caps and T-shirts 

bearing that name. Several sources also mention 

the connection between marijuana use and malt 

liquor consumption; blunts may be dipped in the 

malt liquor or simply consumed with it. In New 

York, a practice is described which includes blowing smoke from a joint into a bottle of malt 

liquor, capping it momentarily, then drinking the 

smoky liquid. This seems to be most popular 

among younger users. 

In Florida, sources report that marijuana has 

again taken on the mystique of a mind-expanding 

experience, with the belief that it has a positive 

value in gaining insight, appreciation of music, 

expansion of imagery, etc. It is also reported to be 

used in combination with cocaine, a combination 

known as "lace" among college students. Though 

marijuana blunts first appeared among inner city 

users, they are now reported as increasingly popular among college students. Marijuana is sometimes found laced with PCP in the D.C. area. 

Distributors of marijuana seem to be young 

adults, often distributing home grown products. 

On the other hand, distributors in New York and 

Connecticut selling exotic varieties are older and 

more established dealers. No one reported marijuana distributors as selling heroin or large quantities of cocaine -- these appear to have a separate set of suppliers. 

All areas report high THC content in the marijuana available and a range of prices. New York 

reports from $100-600 per ounce., the Southwest 

$65 per ounce, and Florida $125 per ounce. Loose 

joints are also reported to be available in some 

areas, with prices in the range of $3 to $5, each. 

Several cycles of the Pulse Check have reported 

an increase in marijuana use and availability in 

many areas. Use of this drug, which was endemic 

to the drug world ten or more years ago, had 

receded dramatically by the end of the 1980s. It 

was still used by many hardcore drug users, much 

as alcohol, which is also a mainstay for that 

NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 5 
group, but was no longer a commonly available 

and consumed substance. The availability of marijuana -- and perhaps the active marketing of the 

substance in many places-- have rekindled marijuana's popularity. In contrast to earlier periods of 

its popularity, today's marijuana comes from a 

variety of both local and exotic places, often 

appears to be hydroponically grown, and has a 

higher THC content (up to a current record of 39 

percent). In this era of use, marijuana is also 

sometimes directly combined in use with cocaine 

HCI or crack. 

Treatment Providers. Treatment providers do 

not report increases in marijuana use, perhaps 

because marijuana users generally require treatment less often. There is no increase cited in any 

region and marijuana is not yet a primary drug of 

abuse for any large proportion of clients. 

Police sources. Police sources on both coasts 

report high availability of marijuana in their 

areas. D.C. police describe its use as "exploding." 

Much of the West Coast marijuana is locally 

grown by users who then share or sell to others; 

other dealers grow large amounts in greenhouses 

(often using hydroponic systems) specifically for 

wider distribution. In most cases the dealers/distributors are described as young white and 

Hispanic males. Prices reported by DEA in the 

West range from $400 per pound for domestic or 

Mexican marijuana to as high as $5000 for a 

pound of sinsemilla or high potency foreign marijuana. New York sources also report a wide range 

of prices reflecting a wide variety of drug types. 

Ten dollar bags of loose marijuana are common 

purchase units. 

6 NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 
Other Drugs/Emerging Drugs 

Many sources continue to mention a re-appearance of hallucinogens (LSD, mescaline, PCP), 

particularly among young and college-aged users. 

The National Monitoring the Future (High 

School Senior) Survey, covering the same time 

period as earlier Pulse Checks, confirms earlier 

Pulse Check reports of this re-appearance. This 

round of conversations did not produce any 

added information on this phenomenon. 

Three sites mentioned a rise in amphetamine use 

(Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco), 

though it has not appeared elsewhere. However, 

one treatment provider in Southern California 

reported that injectable methamphetamine is the 

primary drug problem among the clients they currently serve. Los Angeles police also mentioned 

the appearance of something called "tweek," 

described as methamphetamine in a rock-like 

form, and is perhaps "ice." 

Alcohol, particularly alcohol use among young 

users, continues to be mentioned. While most of 

these reporters focus on illegal drugs in their 

work, many mention alcohol as a serious companion problem which is not adequately addressed. It 

is often cited in discussions about the rise in marijuana use, as it is the substance most often combined with marijuana and is part of a 

music/grass/alcohol scene found in clubs, on 

street comers, and on college campuses. 

NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 7 
July 1993 - January 1994: 

Some Trends Over the Past Six Months 

An earlier unpublished Pulse Check report summarized trends as of July, 1993. While there is 

often little change from quarter to quarter, the 

examination of responses over two or three 

reporting cycles can produce some interesting 

trends. 

• consistent reporting of increased use of 

hallucinogens 

In the July 1993 report, half of the ethnographic 

sources and a number of the treatment providers 

reported the continued presence of LSD and 

other hallucinogens. Since that time there has 

been consistent reporting of the use of these 

drugs, particularly among college aged users and 

"cluls" goers, and more sources have added the 

appearance of mescaline and PCP. PCP is mentioned by reporters on both coasts and, unlike 

LSD or mescaline, appears to have greater variation in ethnicity and age representation among 

its users. 

• continued availability of high purity heroin and increased prevalence of inhalation 

As was mentioned in the July 1993 report, high 

purity heroin persists in most areas (see Table 10), 

with the exception of Florida and Texas. 

(However, even in the latter places, the purity is 

higher than it was a year or two ago.) As a result 

of the increased availability of higher purity heroin, many areas are now reporting increased 

inhalation of the drug, though injection still 

dominates as the primary mode of administration. 

It is interesting that in some areas where higher 

purity heroin is available (like Los Angeles, San 

Francisco and even Connecticut) inhalation 

remains rare, relative to other areas such as (New 

York and New Jersey) where inhalation is more 

common. In most cases, the trend toward inhalation has been coupled with younger users, though 

sources stress that the majority of all heroin users, 

regardless of mode of administration, are still 

older, established users. The New York report for 

this quarter is interesting in that regard. Older 

heroin users, fearful of HIV and more hesitant to 

inject their purchases in copping areas, now often 

inundated with crack users, are purchasing and 

snorting heroin rather than injecting it. French 

in New Jersey, however, reports increased prevalence of heroin inhalers who have never injected 

heroin appearing for treatment, many in their 

late 20s and early 30s. He also notes that emergency room mentions for heroin are rising rapidly 

among younger age groups, indicating a number 

of new users. 

The price/purity data from STRIDE, prepared by 

Abt Associates quarterly, (see Table 10) substantiates these trends. Purchases even of 1/2 gram or 

less have sustained high purity nationwide (over 

40 percent) and price per pure gram have 

remained low throughout the 1990s. This varies 

regionally as is reflected in the Pulse Check 

reports. Purity is very high in the Northeast and 

lower in the South and West, though higher even 

there than five years ago. 

* some reduction in crack use 

While crack and cocaine in general remains the 

primary problem across all areas, reporters 

increasingly say that crack use has leveled off over 

the past few cycles. This trend was mentioned in 

earlier summaries. Sources are quick to note that 

crack is still the most serious problem, but that 

dealers and users seem to be "slowing down," and 

that there appear to be fewer new recruits to the 

drug. 

8 NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY 
• rise in marijuana use and availability 

The 1993 Monitoring the Future Study indicates 

the same trend which has been reported by earlier 

Pulse Check sources. There was a 4 percent 

increase (to 26 percent) in high school seniors 

reporting prior 30-day marijuana use in 1993 

compared to 1992. This is also accompanied by a 

decrease in the percentage of students who think 

marijuana poses "a great risk." 

In the last few cycles the trend has been toward 

markedly increased availability, increased marketing, and use of marijuana, both alone and in combination with cocaine. Blunts (the cigar-like 

packaging of marijuana) are now reported on college campuses as well as in inner city areas, and 

an active marketing campaign for marijuana 

products and paraphernalia has appeared in many 

major urban areas. Associated with this trend is a 

drop in price and an increased availability of varieties of marijuana (Table 10), many with high 

THC content. The market seems to be dominated by domestically grown marijuana, though 

more exotic, foreign varieties are also available in 

large metropolitan areas. 

NATIONAL DRUG CONTBOL POLICY 9 
Table 1 

Ethnographers - Heroin: 2/94 

City 

Bridgeport, 

Connecticut 

(Geter) 

San Antonio/ 

El Paso 

(Ramos) 

Incidence 

slight escalation 

up 

Who's Using 

mostly longtime users, but,rise in 

number of 17-25 year oldsland 

women; African-Americans 

Mexican-Americans; few AfricanAmericans; males 25-35 

A in Users 

more women 

Method 

15-30 year olds more 

likely to snort; other 

inject 

injection almost 

exclusively 

Other Drugs 

speedball (cocaine) 

rare to see heroin 

alone; speedballs are 

norm (cocaine) 

Emerging Drugs 

marijuana and 

mescaline among 

teens 

acid among teens 

Who's Selling 

20-30 year olds 

African-Americans 

Los Angeles up from ER data, 2/3 male, Latino; likely to be over 35 none IV, still no move Mexican Nationals & 

(Annon) treatment toward ~morting Mexican-Americans 

admissions 

I I I I I 

San Francisco increase 20s and 30s none inhaling, injecting methamphetamines .... 

(Murphy) PCP 

I I I I I 

Baltimore/D.C. stable aging population; all ethnic groups; ..... cocaine in speedball .... 

(Mundell) men & women 

I I I I I 

Oakland stable 30-60 year olds with some new young some new inject; though young speedball no old users (30-60); 

(Feldman) users younger users users snort (cocaine) match neighborhoods 

i i ; : I in which they sell 

New York i stable at a high users both older and some new users more inhalers of inhaling; and injecting cocaine no separation of 

(Galea) level apparent all ages alcohol locations 

I I i I I 

Atlanta low but older African-Americans --- IV speedball males, African- 

(Sterk) increasing males (cocaine) American; sell only 

younger cohort also heroin; no crossovers 

I I I ~ I 

Denver no change older users still predominate more younger ' -- speedball methamphetamines Mexican nationals 

(Koester) users among (cocaine) 

runaways 

Miami same older, 30s and 40s, male no 1. IV speedball Rufinal 

(Page) 2. skin (cocaine) LSD 

popping 

I 3. snorting 

i ! i ! 1 

Trenton/Newark stable many new inhalers, young users; late continued inhale cocaine Khat (see notes) some new dealers 

(French) 20s increase in inject who previously sold 

inhalation cocaine 

Tampa low too small a group to measure 

(Mieczkowski) 
Table 1 (cont'd.) 

Ethnographers - Heroin: 2/94 

City Purchase Amount Purity Other/Comments 

Bridgeport, Connecticut $10 bags rising quality in the bags Stable population of heavy users, older guys not interested in 

(Geter) treatment; "lot of these guys are ones taking a fall." 

San Antonio/E1 Paso $10 bag low Potency is reportedly low; users complain they can "just get the 

(Ramos) $20 "spoon" edge off." 

$80 = 5 spoons 

Los Angeles high 

(Annon) 

San Francisco -- high Price is stable; purity high; "If my respondents are any indication, 

(Murphy) the heroin is strong. It's hell keeping them awake during a two 

hour interview." 

Baltimore/D.C. - .... 

(Mundell) 

Oakland $5, $10 units -- 

(Feldman) 

New York $5, $10 bags high - up to 40% 

(Galea) 

Inhaling has become an "in" thing in clubs; also dealers are 

selling in separate locations (away from crack dealers) to avoid 

police attention; new competition among dealers as former crack 

dealers switch to heroin dealing; return of many new shooting 

galleries. 

Atlanta $10, $25 bags rising 

(Sterk) $100/gram 

Denver 1A gram = $20 noticeably decreasing quality 

(Koester) 

Miami --- somewhat higher than last quarter Packaged in clear or pink bags. 

(Page) but potency still low 

Trenton/Newark $10-$15/bag 50% 

(French) 

Tampa 

(Mieczkowski) 

Dramatic increase in young ER mentions; also treatment 

admissions show dominance of inhalers; ~ age 26 indicating 

longer time to treatment for inhalers; many enter treatment with 

no injection history. Khat appearing in police seizures, no market 

structure for it apparent, but street interest in it. 

"We just don't see a lot of heroin users." °-- 
Table 2 

Police - Heroin: 2/94 

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

Yakima, WA no change, still 25-45 years old; equal men & none injection; no snorters marijuana none wide range of sellers 

popular women; primarily AfricanAmerican 

Seattle, WA ............ none Hispanics 

DEA 

Washington, DC up some younger (25-40) users more snorters injection cocaine "coolies" young African-Americans 

snorting; older African- snorting alcohol 

American users inject 

Miami, FL small to moderate older, male, white, and minority none injection crack none 

increase 

Boston, MA slight increase all ages more whites and inhaling increasing 

more blue collar 

users 

Denver, CO increase continues older users mid 20s-early 30s none injection 

Los Angeles, CA stable "see everyone buying it"; heavy none, though less injection; never seen 

(So. Central) use among Hispanics speedballing a snorter 

Maryland (State up ..... 

Police) 

primarily see 

innercity injectors; 

snorters are more 

middle class 

Hispanic, African-American, 

Anglo; match the area 

-- none seller matches the community 

of the sale 

tweek (see African-Americans and 

comments) Hispanics 

-- blunts older African-American males 
City 

Yakima, WA 

Seattle, WA 

DEA 

Washington, DC 

Miami, FL 

Boston, MA 

Denver, CO 

i 

Los Angeles, CA 

(So. Central) 

Maryland (State Police) 

Table 2 (cont'd.) 

Police - Heroin: 2/94 

Purchase Amount 

25grams = $1800 

1 gram= $I00 

Black Tar I gram = $80-$800 

SE Asian 1 gram = $450 

$20-$40/bag 

$5-$10/hit 

$10/bag (.025 gram) 

prices are down, vary by area 

$3-$5/bag; packaged in balloons 

$10, $20/bag for .10-.20 grams; 

higher quality for snorting is $100 

for ~A gram 

Puri~ 

25-70% for Black Tar at gram 

level; 50-75% for SE Asian at 

gram level 

15-25% pure 

up 

very pure 

variable 

low 

injectable is 8-9%; snortable is 

50-60% 

Other/Comments 

Price indicates a steady demand. 

Mix of cigarettes and NoDoz called "eoolies"; more 

indoor sales. 

Black tar is dominant type so no inhalation. 

Tar heroin is dominant; "tweek" is something like 

methamphetamine, but looks like rock cocaine and sells 

for $4/hit. 

Use of inhalants is up among high school students. 
Summary Table 3 

Treatment Providers 

Drug Use Patterns 

2/94 

DRUG: HEROI_._NN 

REGION 

I 

N=ll 

II 

N=8 

III 

N=ll 

IV 

N=7 

% clients 

w/drug listed 

as 1° drug 

of abuse 

= 27% 

= 22% 

~, = 4% 

i = 9% 

over 

last year 

"increase 55% 

no change 45% 

decrease 0 

increase 38% 

no change 62% 

decrease 0 

increase 9% 

no change 64% 

decrease 27% 

increase 33% 

no change 50% 

decrease 17% 

% clients 

injecting 

~= 64% 

= 53% 

= 77% 

= 96% 

% clients 

inhaling/ 

smoking 

= 36% 

= 47% 

i = 23% 

,~ = 4% 

Other Drugs 

Used (% Mentioned) 

cocaine 73% 

marijuana 64% 

alcohol 73% 

tranquilizers 45% 

hallucinogens 9% 

amphetamines 9% 

other 18% 

cocaine 50% 

marijuana 38% 

alcohol 88% 

tranquilizers 38% 

amphetamines 13 % 

other 25% 

cocaine 27% 

marijuana 18% 

alcohol 55% 

tranquilizers 18% 

amphetamines 27% 

cocaine 50% 

marijuana 83% 

alcohol 100% 

tranquilizers 33% 

speed 17% 

amphetamines 33% 

Region I: 

Region II: 

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Isl;md, 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. 

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 
Summary Table 3 (cont'd.) 

Treatment Providers 

Characteristics of Users by Drug of Abuse 

2/94 

DRUG: HEROIN 

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

REGION under African- Hispanic and 

20 21-30 31 + American White Other Yes No 

I =7% ~=28% ~=65% ~=27% K=59% ~= 14% ~=54% ~=46% 

N=ll 

II 

N=8 

III 

N=il 

IV 

N=7 

i = 24% 

= 5% 

~=0 

= 16% 

i = 21% 

i = 15% 

= 60% 

= 74% 

= 85% 

:~ = 55% 

= 40% 

= 16% 

= 38% 

= 57% 

£ = 39% 

~, = 7% 

i = 3% 

= 45% 

Male Female 

= 77% i = 23% 

i = 74% ~ = 26% 

i = 78% ~ = 22% 

= 64% ~ = 36% 

= 61% 

i = 64% 

i = 71% 

i = 39% 

i = 36% 

= 29% 
Table 4 

Ethnographers - Cocaine: 2/94 

Tampa 

(Mieczkowski) 30% African-American 

1 I 1 ,ncidence Who's Using I Users Method Other Drngs Emer ngDrugs Who's Sel .g 

1 

Bridgeport, Connecticut crack use still high 20-40 year olds; African- slightly older crack injection w/heroin; ! heroin crack sellers are teens 

(Geter) American and Hispanics users seen now but its mostly crack P-dope 15-20 

! I 

San Antonio/E1 Paso high African-Americans use crack; more women using smoke; snort and speedball 

(Ramos) also white professionals snort crack inject; 

powder most are injectors 

Los Angeles ! slight decline 26-35; 40% African-American; none 1⁄2 crack users; some Mexicans 

(Annon) ! 30% Latino move back to 

snorting 

San Francisco "waning" late 20s and 30s getting older smoking methamphetamine LSD 

(Murphy) PCP mescaline 

MDMA 

Baltimore stable older users, fewer new, young crack most common 

(Mundell) users 

Oakland stable older users (not teens) none Mexican youths 

(Feldman) 

New York still the dominant young users, many young more older (40-50) crack most common heroin none young marketers, teens 

(Galea) drug females males seen alcohol 

; marijuana 

Atlanta high, particularly African-Americans in 20s & mostly crack; some alcohol & marijuana African-Americans male 

(Sterk) crack 30s IV in, speedball w/crack & female for crack; no 

heroin sold with it 

Denver no change for either white, young users methamphetamine 

(Koester) HCI or crack w/HC1 

I 

Miami slight decrease of wide variation fewer young 1. smoking heroin 

(Page) injection in favor of recruits 2. IV 

smoking 3. snorting 

Trenton/Newark stable fewer young users smoldng heroin 

(French) injecting 

I 

stable 50% white none snort marijuana Nexus 

smoke valium 
...... ,,,• ............. ,,H, , 

, • ................ , H• 

Table 4 (eont'd.) 

Ethnographers - Cocaine: 2/94 

City Purchase Amount Purity Other/Comments 

Bridgeport, Connecticut vial = 53, $5, 510 good Exotic markings on bags and vials evident. Names like "Murder One" or 

(Geter) 510 bag of HCI, $40/gram "Smoking Gun" are heroin/cocaine 2-bag combinations for sale. 

San Antonio/El Paso 510, 20, 30 units; good -- 

(Ramos) 1/16 oz. = 5120 = 12-16 hits 

Los Angeles varies 30-95% 

(~mnon) 

San Francisco drop in price; -- LSD, mescaline and MDMA among college students; increased PCP and 

(Murphy) 1 gram = $50 methamphetamine use among gay men. 

Baltimore ...... 

(Mundell) 

Oakland $2, $5, $10, 520 rocks -- Lots of alcohol use among teens evident. 

(Feldman) 

New York HCI in $20, $40 bags, 1 gram = high, very available Older men are getting introduced to crack through young females who they 

(Galea) $40-$60 contact initially for sex. 

$5, $10 vials 

Atlanta $5/rock -- 

(Sterk) 560-100/gram 

Denver ~A gram = $20 decreasing quality Seeing increase in methamphetamine (crystal) and cocaine injectors. 

(Koester) 

Miami $3, $5 rocks consistently strong bags Crack smoking in increasingly en~'enched in African-American community but 

(Page) 55, 10 bags HCI not collecting new recruits as rapidly as 5 years ago. 

Trenton/Newark $3, $5, 510/rock high See crack dealers switching to heroin sales. 

(French) 1 gram = '$50 

Tampa 125/gram good 

(Mieczkowski) 510, 20/rock 
Table 5 

Police - Cocaine: 2/94 

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

Yakima, WA high, no change 15-60; "everybody uses it;" none -- marijuana -- Hispanics 

White and African-American 

Seattle, WA .......... none Hispanics 

DEA African-Americans 

Washington, DC stable HCI user is white; crack user is none smoking PCP PCP young African-American males 

African-American snorting alcohol 

injecting 

Miami, FL up evenly mixed among ethnicity more young users smoking marijuana none depends on area, but they only 

sell cocaine 

Boston, MA stable all ages, ethnicities none marijuana none 

Denver, CO crack is still the 

primary drug 

Los Angeles, CA high, "an avalanche" 

(So. Central) 

Maryland 

(State Police) 

availability has 

declined for powder; 

availability of crack 

is up 

young, visible users 

many in 30s and 40s who are 

using crack; also common 

among African-American males 

20-40 

none 

none 

miffing 

smoking 

crack 

primarily crack 

snorting and 

smoking 

alcohol 

marijuana 

seller matches community of 

the sale 

open markets 

Hispanics and AfricanAmericans 

Young African-American 

males, younger than heroin 

dealers 
Table S (cont'd.) 

Pofice - Cocaine: 2/94 

City Purchase Amount Purity Other/Comments 

Yakima, WA 1 gram = $60 -- 

Seattle, WA 1 gram HCI = $80-$150 50-75% HCI at gram level 

DEA .1 gram = $20 

Washington, DC 1A and whole grams selling 50% or higher PCP is back. 

$50 & $100; crack $10, $20, 

$50 or $100/rock 

Miami, FL 1 kilo - $18,000 up 

1 rock = $5, $10 

Boston, MA $10/.2 grams high 

Denver, CO prices down somewhat variable 

Los Angeles, CA variable depending on size of low 

rock; "powder is only for 

dealers" 

Maryland (State Police) HC1 is $80-$90/gram; crack dropping; HCI at 54% 

$10, $20, $40 pieces; dealers' 

market is above 2 grams 
Summary Table 6 

Treatment Providers 

Drug Use Patterns 

2/94 

DRUG: COCAINEICI~LACK 

REGION 

I 

N=ll 

II 

N=8 

III 

N=ll 

IV 

N=7 

% clients 

w/drug listed 

as l° drug 

of abuse 

= 49% 

= 41% 

= 31% 

= 11% 

over 

last year 

increase 0 

no change 80% 

decrease 20% 

increase 0 

no change 100% 

decrease 0 

increase 18% 

no change 73% 

decrease 9% 

increase 0 

no change 60% 

decrease 40% 

% clients 

injecting 

~ = 14% 

= 4% 

= 9% 

i = 18% 

% clients 

inhaling/ 

smoking 

= 86% 

= 96% 

= 91% 

:i = 82% 

Other Drugs 

Used (% Mentioned) 

heroin 55% 

marijuana 64% 

alcohol 73% 

tranquilizers 36% 

amphetamines 9% 

other 9% 

heroin 25% 

marijuana 38% 

alcohol 88% 

tranquilizers 28% 

amphetamines 13% 

other 25% 

heroin 18% 

marijuana 55% 

alcohol 73% 

tranquilizers 36% 

amphetamines 18% 

speed 9% 

other 9% 

heroin 20% 

marijuana 60% 

alcohol 100% 

tranquilizers 20% 

speed 20% 

methamphetamine 40% 

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 
Summary Table 6 (cont'd.) 

Treatment Providers 

Characteristics of Users by Drug of Abuse 

2/94 

DRUG: COCAINE/CRACK 

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

African- Hispanic and 

21-30 31 + American White Other Male Female Yes No 

i=33% ~=64% ~=41% ~=49% i= 10% ~=78% i=22% ~=55% i=45% 

REGION under 

20 

I ~= 3% 

N=ll 

II ~ = 0 

N=8 

III i = 13% 

N=I1 

IV ~ = 1% 

N=7 

i= 100% ~=0 i=62% K=33% ~=5% i=61% i=39% ~=46% i=54% 

i = 34% ~ = 53% i = 39% £ = 56% ~ = 5% i = 69% ~ = 31% ~ = 47% ~ = 53% 

i=57% K=42% i= 14% ~=62% ~=24% i = 74% i = 26% = 56% i = 44% 
Table 7 

Ethnographers - Marijuana: 2/94 

City Incidence 

Bridgeport, Connecticut up, very available 

(Geter) 

San Antonio/El Paso 

(Ramos) 

Los Angeles 

(Annon) 

San Francisco 

(Murphy) 

Baltimore 

(Mundell) 

Oakland 

(Feldman) 

New York 

(Galea) 

Atlanta 

(Sterk) 

Denver 

(Koester) 

Miami 

(Page) 

Tampa 

(Mieczkowski) 

Trenton/Newark 

(French) 

same 

Who's Using 

lots of young users 

teens 

wide range 

A in Users 

just more of them 

none 

none 

Method Other Drugs 

crack 

alcohol; crack 

Emerging Drugs 

mescaline 

see cocaine 

up all ages, ethnic groups .... PCP & malt PCP --- 

liquor 

-- "all over" none ........ 

--- young adults very high, everybody .... 

"unbelievably 

popular" 

increasing none 

none 

none 

primarily cocaine users and 

younger users of just marijuana 

teens (12-15) also older (30-50) 

users 

60% whites 

30% African-Americans 

wide range 

malt liquor, 

cocaine in a 

blunt 

crack 

LSD; cocaine 

alcohol 

w/cocaine in 

blunt 

slight surge 

among teens 

up 

Who's Selling 

variety of dealers; only deal 

marijuana, pills, LSD, no 

crossovers 

crack dealers and marijuana 

only dealers 

wide range; seizures at 

Newark Airport indicate some 

non-local trade 
..... ,, ,,, ...... 

Table 7 (cont'd.) 

Ethnographers - Marijuana: 2/94 

San Francisco __ 

(Murphy) 

Baltimore Blunts are appearing among college population, sometimes 

(Mundell) combined with PCP. 

Oakland Mexican = $125/oz. varies 

(Feldman) sinsemilla = $150/ 

1/, oz. 

New York $100-$600/oz. high "Ifs like beer; New Yorkers like the imported stuff and can buy 

(Galea) grass from around the world here." A California brand called 

"Chronic" is the most common and is marketed with T-shirts, 

caps, etc. 

Atlanta 1 oz. = 150 

(Sterk) 

Miami 1/3 oz. = $100 strong Emphasis on mind expanding, belief in it as a positive drug 

(Page) $5/joint experience has returned. When combined w/cocaine called 

"lace." 

Tampa $125/oz. -- -- 

(Mieczkowski) 

I 

Denver wide price variation wide variation 

(Koester) 

Trenton/Newark $10/bag = 3 joints variable Increase in number of body packers of grass found at Newark 

French Airport. 

$1-$2/joint 

(Ramos) oz. = $65 

Los Angeles 

(Annon) 

City Purchase Amount Purity Other/Comments 

Bridgeport, Connecticut $10 for bag which = 3 good Dealers deliver in nightclubs, bars, parties when contacted 

(Geter) joints through beepers; street sales in many areas. 

San Antonio/El Paso good -- 
Table 8 

Police - Marijuana: 2/94 

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

Yakima, WA demand still high wide range of people none -- alcohol none white males 20-40 growing 

their own 

Seattle, WA ............... Hispanlcs and Caucasians 

DEA 

Washington, DC "exploding" 16-25 year olds, male, minority none -- PCP young, African-American 

crack males 

Miami, FL up young users, mixed ethnicity more young users combined -- 

w/crack 

young sellers, only sell 

marijuana 

Boston, MA slight increase all ages, ethnicities none -- crack none sellers match community of 

sale 

Los Angeles, CA stable Hispanlcs, younger users (13-20) none -- alcohol -- Hispanics, young gang 

members 

Maryland (State .......... with crack -- white males and they are a 

Police) .............................................................................................................. "tight knit community" 
Table 8 (cont'd.) 

Police - Marijuana: 2/94 

City Purchase Amount Purity Other/Comments 

Yakima, WA --- 

-- Supply and demand haven't changed much since last 

report. 

SeaRIe, WA 

DEA 

Washington, DC 

Miami, FL 

Boston, MA 

Los Angeles, CA 

Maryland (State Police) 

1 lb. sinsemilla = $1600-$5000 

1 lb. Mexican = $400-$1200 

1 lb. domestic = $400-$5000 

1A oz. = $85; dime bags also 

available 

$5, $10/bag 

$10/bag = 2 joints 

$1 O/bag 

1/8 oz. = $35-$40 

DK 

up 

up 

high 

Zip lock or stapled bags common sight. 
Summary Table 9 

Treatment Providers 

Drug Use Patterns 

2/94 

DRUG: MARIJ!JANA 

REGION 

I 

N=ll 

II 

N=8 

llI 

N=II 

IV 

N=7 

% clients 

w/drug listed 

as 1 o drug 

of abuse 

= 16% 

= 18% 

R = 14% 

= 16% 

A over 

last year 

increase 11% 

no change 89% 

decrease 0 

increase 0 

no change 100% 

decrease 0 

increase 9% 

no change 82% 

decrease 9% 

increase 0 

no change 71% 

decrease 29% 

Other Drugs 

Used (% Mentioned) 

cocaine 

alcohol 

tranquilizers 

amphetamines 

heroin 

cocaine 

alcohol 

tranquilizers 

amphetamines 

other 

heroin 

cocaine 

alcohol 

tranquilizers 

amphetamines 

hallucinogens 

other 

heroin 

alcohol 

tranquilizers 

methamphetamine 

other 

22% 

78% 

22% 

11% 

25% 

25% 

75% 

13% 

13% 

13% 

9% 

27% 

92% 

18% 

9% 

9% 

9% 

14% 

86% 

14% 

29% 

14% 

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 Carolina, Tennessee, 

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

Region III: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North and 

South Dakota 

Region W: Colorado, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Arizona, California, Idaho, New Mexico, Washington, 

Oregon 
Summary Table 9 (cont'd.) 

Treatment Providers 

Characteristics of Users by Drug of Abuse 

2/94 

DRUG: MARIJUANA 

IV 

N=7 

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

REGION under African- Hispanic and 

20 21-30 31 + American White Other Male Female Yes No 

I ~=33% ~=34% ~=33% ~= 14% i=66% ~=20% ~=88% i= 12% ~=47% ~=53% 

N=ll 

II ~ = 0 i = 66% ~ = 34% ~ = 31% ~ = 63% i = 6% i = 76% i = 24% :~ = 35% 7~ = 65% 

N=8 

III ~ = 19% ~ = 48% i = 33% ,~ = 22% ~ = 74% ~ = 4% i = 73% ~ = 27% ~ = 36% ~ = 64% 

N=I1 

= 32% ~ = 53% ~ = 15% 7~ = 3% ~ = 72% i = 25% i = 71% ~ = 29% ~ = 32% ~ = 68% 
Table 10 

Average Drug Price in The United States 

by Quarter, 1993 

Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 

Cocaine 

Purchases of I ounce or less 

Price per pure gram $126 $126 $113 $116 

Purity 74% 72% 72% 72% 

Purchase Of 1.8 ounce or less 

Price per pure gram $171 $178 $154 $165 

Purity 76% 76% 75% 76% 

Purchases of 1 gram or less 

Heroin 

Price per pure gram 

Purity 

Purchase pf 1⁄2 gram or less 

Price per pure gram 

Purity 

$2,082 

44% 

$2,186 

50% 

$1,657 

38% 

$1,753 

~% 

$1,113 

50% 

$1,109 

57% 

Purchases of I pound or less 

Marijuana 

Price per bulk gram 

Purchase of 1 ounce or less 

Price per bulk gram 

$12 

$14 

$11 

$13 

$11 

$12 

$1,397 

40% 

$1,891 

42% 

$12 

$14 

Source: System to Rela'ieve Information form Drug Evidence, 1993. 

U.S.GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1994 - 154-024 : QL 3