Florida

• The Central Florida region is a drug smuggling importation target due to its geographic location, the states tourism industry, and its large and efficient air, land, and sea transportation system.
• The agricultural industry in Central Florida supports a migrant worker population responsible for the importation of marijuana and meth from both Texas and Mexico.
• During 2000, a total of 6,002 marijuana plants were eradicated in Orange County, Florida.
• During 2000, MBI investigations resulted in the seizure of $8,204,944 worth of narcotics and $774,514 in cash from drug proceeds in Orange and Osceola Counties, Florida.
• Efforts made by the Central Florida HIDTA task forces resulted in the following seizures:
  • $3,081,216 in currency
  • 36.2 pounds of heroin
  • 407.28 pounds of cocaine
  • 136.72 pounds of Methamphetamine
  • 19,434 pounds of marijuana
  • 202 weapons
  • 96 vehicles

Drugs

• Cocaine: Cocaine use in all forms is prevalent across the Central Florida region.
• Heroin: Heroin is the number one problem facing the Central Florida area. Recently, Orlando, Florida has become the most likely place in Florida for someone to die from a heroin overdose.
• Marijuana: This substance is the drug of choice in the Central Florida region.
• Methamphetamine: The Central Florida area has experienced an increase in meth use, with concentrated areas found around the Mexican migrant farm communities.
• Other Drugs: MDMA is flooding the Central Florida area, primarily Orlando, Florida and Tampa, Florida.

Consequences of Use

• From January to June 2001, there were 45 deaths in Orlando, Florida in which cocaine was found in the body of the deceased.
• During full year 2000, cocaine was found in 109 of the deaths reported in Orlando, Florida.
• Of the offenders sentenced for committing a drug trafficking offense, 96.4% received a prison sentence.
• 70% of the Orange County, Florida Corrections jail population reviewed for substance abuse are in need of treatment.
• 21% of the adults booked through Orange County, Florida Corrections were charged with a drug offense.

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.