NCJ Number
204356
Date Published
November 2002
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This document discusses the status and outlook of the drug threat for the State of New York.
Abstract
New York, particularly New York City, is a national transportation hub and distribution center for illicit drugs. The State’s transportation infrastructure makes it well suited for the movement of licit and illicit goods. Drugs transported by private vehicle, truck, aircraft, maritime vessel, railcar, and parcel delivery have an excellent chance of reaching their destination because of the volume of traffic moving to and through the State daily. Cocaine, particularly crack, is a serious drug threat to New York. Powdered cocaine and crack cocaine are readily available, commonly abused, and more frequently associated with violent crime than any other illicit drug in the State. Colombian and Dominican drug trafficking organizations and criminal groups are the primary transporters of cocaine. Heroin is a significant threat. South American heroin is most prevalent; Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin also are available. Marijuana is the most widely available and frequently abused illicit drug. Most of the marijuana available is produced in other States or in Mexico, Jamaica, and Canada. Marijuana produced in New York also is available. Other dangerous drugs, such as MDMA, GHB, LSD, PCP, and ketamine, present an increasing threat to New York. Abuse of the diverted pharmaceuticals Xanax, Vicodin, Dilaudid, methadone, codeine, HIV treatment drugs, steroids, and Ritalin has also been reported. There is an increased level of MDMA abuse, particularly among teenagers and young adults that attend raves or techno parties where many of these drugs are readily available and frequently abused. Methamphetamine poses a low but increasing threat. Methamphetamine abuse generally is confined to limited segments of the population such as members of outlaw motorcycle gangs, some members of the gay community, and some residents of economically depressed rural neighborhoods. College students and rave or techno party attendees are abusing methamphetamine at an increasing rate.