NCJ Number
162845
Date Published
1995
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This news conference by National Drug Policy Director Barry McCaffrey presents the findings of a "Pulse Check" that has reviewed trends in drug use in the United States; following the presentation, questions and answers focus on various aspects of U.S. drug policy.
Abstract
McCaffrey reports that heroin use is increasing in the United States, but it is still relatively small, constituting 3 percent of the world's consumption of heroin. This trend is fueled by heroin use among the working class and suburban Americans. The trend in mechanism of use is apparently moving from snorting heroin to injecting it; some 75 percent of heroin users inject the drug. There is preliminary evidence that drug dealers who have been selling Colombian cocaine are now also dealing in heroin from Colombia. McCaffrey reports that cocaine use in the United States has stabilized, and the number of new users is decreasing. This is counterbalanced, however, by a dramatic increase in high-potency marijuana use by youth and an increase in the use of methamphetamine, which is apparently the preference of former cocaine and crack users. McCaffrey also announces the Southwest Border Conference to be held in July 1995. This conference of government representatives from the United States and Mexico will focus on the development of a more rational command and control in cooperating with Mexico to stem the tide of drug smuggling across the Mexican-U.S. border. McCaffrey notes that more than 70 percent of the U.S. drug supply comes through Mexico. Other issues addressed in the presentation and in questions by the news media are the U.S. position regarding the allegation of the use of drug cartel money in national election campaigns, the important role of prevention and treatment in drug policy, and money laundering.