NCJ Number
153208
Editor(s)
Bridget A. Goodman
Date Published
1994
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This 1994 overview reports on the use and distribution of illicit drugs in various areas of the country and is based on interviews with drug researchers, law enforcement officials, and substance abuse treatment providers nationwide.
Abstract
This report provides information on drug use trends heroin, marijuana, and cocaine, and trends for drug use on college campuses and the use of emerging drugs. Findings for heroin use include: more teenagers and young people are using heroin, with some shifting to injection as the primary source of administration; an increase in heroin use among middle and upper-middle class people; an increase in the inhaling and smoking of the drug; and increase in the number of people seeking treatment. The findings for cocaine include: the use of cocaine is stable but it remains the dominant drug of choice; cocaine is being used by people of all ages and ethnicities; and an increase in the number of people seeking treatment for cocaine. The findings for marijuana include: an increase in the use of the drug among teenagers and children as young as 11 years old; an increase in the use of the drug among people of all ages and ethnicities; and an increase in the number of people seeking treatment. For college campuses, the findings include: alcohol remains the primary drug problem among students; marijuana is the next most abused drug of choice on campuses; and several campuses reported a rise in the use of hallucinogens among students. For emerging drugs, hallucinogens continued to be mentioned by many sources interviewed for this report; and amphetamine and methamphetamine use continues to rise in the Mid-Atlantic States, with more reports of users referring crystal methamphetamine to ice methamphetamine. 9 tables