NCJ Number
203724
Date Published
October 2003
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This report presents a strategic assessment of the status and outlook of the drug threat to the Northern Mariana Islands.
Abstract
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) is part of a 500-mile, 14 island chain, which is situated between Hawaii and the Philippines. The CNMI became a United States commonwealth in 1975; approximately 30,000 of the 70,000 CNMI residents are United States citizens. Local law enforcement reports indicate that illicit drugs are smuggled to the islands from Asia, Hawaii, and the United States mainland. Crystal methamphetamine poses the most significant drug threat to the CNMI. The 1990's witnessed the increased availability and consumption of crystal methamphetamine in the CNMI and during recent years availability continues to rise as indicated by the high purity level and low price of the drug in this region. Marijuana is the most common abuse drug in the CNMI and is readily available. Law enforcement efforts in 2000 and 2001 succeeded in decreasing the amount of local marijuana cultivation, however, the drug continues to be smuggled into the country, mainly from the Philippines or the Republic of Palau. The use and availability of heroin and cocaine in the CNMI has been, and continues to be, minimal. Heroin is typically consumed by tourists to the islands, rather than by locals, and the small amount of cocaine available is thought to be smuggled in primarily by Mexican criminal groups working from the United States' west coast. Other types of dangerous drugs, such as inhalants, MDMA, LSD, and diverted pharmaceuticals pose only a small threat to the CNMI. The predicted outlook for drugs in this region is that the availability and use of crystal methamphetamine will continue to rise with a corresponding rise in violent crime. Marijuana, however, will continue to be the most widely consumed drug on the island. Figures, tables, references