NCJ Number
188712
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 68 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2001 Pages: 55-60
Date Published
May 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article reports on trends in the use of various drugs as documented by the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC).
Abstract
The NDIC, established in 1993 as a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides the Nation's law enforcement personnel and policymakers with strategic domestic drug intelligence for their use in establishing law enforcement priorities and formulating drug control policy. The NDIC relies on information from all levels of law enforcement, especially the local level. The NDIC reports that the trafficking and abuse of illegal drugs continue to afflict society, and America's youth suffer the greatest damage. National demand indicators show continuing overall stability in cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana use, but also some disturbing trends in use among adolescents and young adults. The growing popularity and expansion of the rave culture and the criminal activity that surrounds it pose a continuing threat to America's youth. The rave culture provides trafficking organizations and independent profiteers with an opportunity to introduce a variety of drugs to a new, young group of users. The dramatic increases in the availability and use of club drugs, especially MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), as well as the array of hallucinogens and other illegal drugs available at raves and dance clubs indicate that the full impact of the rave culture has not yet been felt. International drug trafficking organizations are taking steps to make drugs more acceptable, easier to administer, and more appealing.