Illinois

• In 2002, there were 54,205 drug-related arrests in Chicago, Illinois 26,582 of which were for possession of a controlled substance.
• In 2001, in Chicago, Illinois there were 57,958 arrests for narcotic violations.
• In 2001 in Chicago, Illinois 49,958 males were arrested for narcotics violations, compared to 8,000 females.
• In 2001 in Chicago, Illinois 83.5% of adult male arrestees tested positive for drug use at the time of arrest.

Drugs

• Heroin: Heroin is considered “somewhat available” and is the most commonly abused drug in the Chicago, Illinois area. Colombian and Southwest Asian heroin availability have increased and Southeast Asian heroin availability has decreased. Injecting and snorting are the most common forms of ingestion of heroin in Illinois. Heroin is sold by organized sale structures, although some open drug markets still exist. Many layers of people are involved in sales to reduce the risk of being caught. Often a buyer requests the drug on one level of a public housing complex, then goes to another level to purchase the drug, and is then given yet another location to obtain the drug. According to the DEA, South American heroin had a purity level of 22.1% in 2001. In the fourth quarter of 2002, heroin sold for $100,000-$125,000 per kilogram; $2,500-$3,000 per ounce; and $100-$125 per gram in Chicago, Illinois.
• Cocaine: Crack cocaine is considered to be widely to somewhat available and is the drug that contributes to the most serious consequences in Chicago, Illinois. Epidemiologic and ethnographic sources report a rock costing $5-$20 and a gram of crack cocaine costing $50-$150. Crack is primarily sold by adolescents. The mean age of crack users is 39 years old. Powder cocaine is considered widely to somewhat available. A gram of powder cocaine costs $125 according to law enforcement sources and $50-$100 according to epidemiologic and ethnographic sources. Adolescents and young adults are the primary powder cocaine sellers. In the fourth quarter of 2002, powder cocaine sold for $18,000-$22,000 per kilogram; $900 to $1,100 per ounce; $75-$100 per gram in Chicago, Illinois. Crack cocaine sold for $700-$900 per ounce; $50-$100 per gram; and $10 per rock during the same peroid of time in Chicago, Illinois.
• Marijuana: Law enforcement sources consider marijuana to be somewhat available in Chicago, Illinois. Marijuana prices range from $5-$10 for a loose bag to $80-$200 for one gram. Adolescents are the primary sellers and users of marijuana. Open-air drug markets exist, although sometimes are held in more discrete areas such as public housing developments. Marijuana sold for $900-$1,200 per pound and $50-$75 per ounce in the fourth quarter of 2002.
• Methamphetamine: Availability of Methamphetamine has increased in Chicago, Illinois, although it is still considered not very available. Locally produced Methamphetamine is increasing. Street sales are noted for the first time, mostly on the Northside. In the fourth quarter of 2002, meth sold for $1,000-$1,300 per ounce and $80-$150 per gram in Chicago, Illinois. Mexican criminal groups in Mexico and southwestern states produce the dominant form of Methamphetamine available in Chicago, Illinois.
• Diverted Pharmaceuticals: Diverted synthetic opioids are not available and are not considered emerging in the Chicago, Illinois area. OxyContin is reported as not available to moderately available. Chicago, Illinois is the only Pulse Check site where OxyContin is not described as an emerging problem.
• Club Drugs: In 2002, ecstasy was seen on the street for the first time. Ecstasy is sold, but not used in high schools. During the fourth quarter of 2002 in Chicago, Illinois, MDMA sold for $4-$10 per tablet wholesale and $10-$15 per tablet at the retail level. In that same time period, GHB sold for $5-$10, PCP sold for $15, and LSD sold for $5-$7.

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.