NCJ Number
204644
Date Published
2003
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This report presents a snapshot view of the drug problem in Howard County, MD.
Abstract
Between 1998 and 2002, juvenile heroin mentions in Howard County decreased 67 percent, and the percentage of youth reporting use of marijuana decreased from 96 percent in 2000 to 86 percent in 2002. Adult mentions of “other” opiate use increased 87 percent between 1998 and 2002. “Other” opiates include narcotics such as oxycodone, morphine, and Percodan. OxyContin and Percocet were the most popular drugs among juveniles involved with OPUS and Drug Scan contacts. Some drug users reported that use of OxyContin and Percocet eventually leads to heroin use. More lab submissions of heroin by the Maryland State Police occurred in 2002 than in recent years. Ecstasy and amphetamines are also problem in Howard County, with the Health Department reporting an increase of use among youth. Alcohol and marijuana are labeled as continuing challenges for Howard County. Upon treatment admission, more clients mention alcohol as a substance of abuse than any other substance. Alcohol was identified as the most prevalent drug used by both juveniles and adults. Marijuana was mentioned as a substance of abuse among 86 percent of youth admitted to treatment in Howard County during 2002. However, among adults, the second most prevalent drug was cocaine; 29 percent of the adults in Howard County were admitted to treatment for cocaine abuse during 2002. LSD and other hallucinogens were identified as the third most prevalent substance abused by juvenile treatment clients, with over 7 percent of the County’s juveniles reporting hallucinogen use upon treatment admission. Finally, the report offers quotations from juveniles about why kids use drugs. An example is, “They like the feeling” (18-year-old).