NCJ Number
153428
Date Published
1994
Length
28 pages
Annotation
Trends in drug abuse in Washington, D.C. were assessed based on interviews with drug users, a review of Federal and local reports, a review of drug abuse hotline calls, and data from an Internet discussion list.
Abstract
Results revealed that cocaine use continues to be a severe problem in the District. Although the number of cocaine users appears to have decreased in recent years, significant numbers of people use cocaine, particularly crack cocaine. Heroin appears to be more readily available and of higher purity than in the past, but its use does not appear to have increased significantly. However, dramatic increases have occurred in use of marijuana and PCP by youths over the past year. Drug users and individuals working with them note that the drug scene is changing. Drug abuse has become much more hazardous, the environment is more dangerous, drug dealers are less trustworthy, and drug are more toxic than in the past. In addition, the interviews suggested that if treatment were more accessible and immediately available, many addicted individuals would be likely to enter treatment. Figures and appended methodological information