Colorado

• Data for 2002 show that 61.7% of adult male arrestees and 68% of adult female arrestees in Denver, Colorado tested positive for drug use at the time of arrest.
• In 2002, almost fifty percent of male arrestees in Denver, Colorado reported using marijuana in the past year. Among the male arrestees who reported past year use of marijuana, the average number of days the substance was used in the past month was 8.9 days.
• Almost fifty percent of male arrestees in 2002 in Denver, Colorado reported using marijuana in the past year. Among the male arrestees who reported past year use of marijuana, average number of days the substance was used in the past month was 7.4 days.
• Between 1996 and 2000, Denver police made drug arrests at a rate of 1,234 per 100,000 city residents (more than twice the national average). The majority of these drug arrests (93%) were for possession offenses.
• Between 1996 and 2000, nearly 1,000 violent crimes and 7,200 property crimes linked to alcohol and drugs were committed each year in Denver, Colorado.
• There are nearly 10,000 gang members documented in the Denver, Colorado area. These numbers continue to rise at an alarming rate with an average of 1,500 new members added each year

Drugs

• Cocaine: Small quantities of crack cocaine are produced locally in Colorado and larger quantities come preprocessed from Mexico. Users tend to be white or black and adults over age 30. Hispanic users of powder cocaine are over represented relative to the general population. One rock of crack cocaine cost $20-$30 in Denver during 2002. A gram of powder cocaine, ranging in purity from 30 to 90 percent, costs $100-$125.
• Heroin: Mexican black tar and Mexican brown heroin are widely available in Denver, Colorado. The predominate user group consists of older white males who live in the central city, although suburban user groups are emerging. The most common form of ingestion is injecting. Young adults also use heroin and do so by snorting and smoking it. One ounce of Mexican heroin at 40% pure typically costs $2,000-$3,000. One gram of heroin that is 8-64% pure costs $100-$150.
• Marijuana: Between 2001 and 2002, prices for a pound of marijuana ranged from $500-$1,000 for commercial grade; $1,000-$3,000 for domestic grown; and $3,000-$5,000 for BC bud. Ounce prices for marijuana ranged from $200-$300 for domestic grown to $600 for BC bud. Locally produced sinsemilla sold for $1,000-$3,000 per ounce and $50-$200 per-gram in 2002.
• Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine is widely available in the Denver, Colorado area. There has been an increase in the number of small, local Methamphetamine labs in the Denver, Colorado area. The number of users as well as the number of novice users has increased. The availability of “ice,”Methamphetamine that is nearly 100% pure, has increased in Denver, Colorado. For Methamphetamine that is between 10% and 20% pure, users often pay $90-$110 per-gram and $700-$1,200 per ounce. During the third quarter of 2002, a pound of Methamphetamine sold for $5,500-$9,000 and a gram of Methamphetamine sold for$80-$100. Crystal Methamphetamine costs 20% higher than powder Methamphetamine.
• Club Drugs: MDMA sells for $10-$25 per pill in Denver, Colorado. GHB and Ketamine are reported to be emerging problems in the area. A capful of GHB costs $5-$20. Raves may be phasing out and club drug use is down due to high profile deaths involving ecstasy use.
  

Across the United States, drug use is a cause for concern. For more and more individuals, drug use (including hard drugs like cocaine, meth, and heroin) is becoming a part of their daily lives. This raises concern that the country may be entering a period of drug use unseen since the '70s.

This increase in drug use affects not only the drug user, but also their family and friends. They suffer along with the drug addict through their ups, downs, sobriety, and intoxication. This can be very stressful for those who care about an individual with a drug addiction.

The physical and physiological health of a person who has a drug addiction is also a concern. Drug use can lead to health problems ranging from heart trouble to memory loss. These issues may have long term consequences, and at times may be deadly. Drug overdose is one such trend that is monitored across the United States. Sadly, many people die each year due to an overdose of drugs or alcohol.

Crime is also a factor when it comes to drug addiction. Many find they must spend more and more money to meet the needs of their drug addiction. This can lead to robbery, prostitution, scams and so on. Often times, those who are taken to jail are either intoxicated at the time of their arrest or are committing a crime to support their drug habit.

Although drug trends throughout the United States vary year to year, drugs are always a problem. Even when statistics are low for drug abuse, drug related crime, and drug treatment admissions, it is important to remember that it is still a cause for concern. Monitoring drug trends helps in determining where there are high amounts of drug use and how these areas may correlate with crime, addiction treatment, and health care.

This site, United States Drug Trends, will keep you informed of the current drug trends taking place throughout the United States. Use this site to educate yourself and increase your awareness of what is happening in the state you live in.