Louisiana

• The data collected from New Orleans, Louisiana adult arrestees in 2001 indicate that 67.8% of adult male and 56.4% of adult female arrestees tested positive for an illegal drug at arrest.
• Over 50% of adult male arrestees in New Orleans, Louisiana 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 11.5 days.
• According to New Orleans, Louisiana homicide detectives, the number of murders believed to be motivated by illegal drugs, most notably crack cocaine and heroin, increased from 19% in 1998 up to 37% in 2001.
• In the first half of 2001, there were 1,001 arrests for drug paraphernalia in Orleans Parish, Louisiana.

Drugs

• Cocaine/Crack: Pulse Check sources consider crack to be the most widely used illicit drug in New Orleans, Louisiana. From Spring 2001 to Fall 2001, the availability of powder cocaine remained stable in New Orleans, Louisiana. Powder cocaine prices in New Orleans, Louisiana averaged $80-$150 per gram, $800-$1,200 per ounce, and $18,000-$25,000 per kilogram. A gram of crack cocaine costs between $40 and $50 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Heroin: The use of heroin appears to be making a comeback in New Orleans, Louisiana, especially with young people. This may be due to the arrival of a powdery form of heroin that can be snorted or smoked instead of injected. Heroin has become an easily obtainable substitute to the prescription drug OxyContin. Despite the increase in heroin snorting, injection remains the predominant route of administration. Some younger users are lacing marijuana cigarettes with heroin. Colombian, Southeast Asian, and Mexican heroin are widely available in the New Orleans, Louisiana area. Street sources indicate that while black tar heroin is available, it is rarely used. In the first half of 2001, heroin prices averaged $450- $750 per gram, $5,000-$10,000 per ounce, and $140,000-$175,000 per kilogram. Purity levels for South American heroin found in New Orleans, Louisiana have reached 45%.
• Marijuana: Marijuana continues to be the primary drug of choice among young people in New Orleans, Louisiana. Locally produced commercial grade marijuana is the most common variety found in New Orleans, Louisiana, followed by Mexican commercial grade marijuana. Marijuana is predominantly smoked in joints, but blunts are occasionally reported, mostly among people visiting the New Orleans, Louisiana. Between the first halves of 2000 and 2001, marijuana prices remained stable, averaging $100 per gram, $125-$168 per ounce, $750-$1,000 per pound, and $2,000 per kilogram.
• Methamphetamine: While most indicators are low, law enforcement agencies report that Methamphetamine use among college-age men and women remains a problem in New Orleans, Louisiana. According to Pulse Check treatment sources, the number of novice meth users (those who have used Methamphetamine for less than one year before entering treatment) has increased in New Orleans, Louisiana. A gram of Methamphetamine typically costs $100 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
• Club Drugs: The average price of an Ecstasy tablet in New Orleans, Louisiana was $15.25 in 2001. GHB and GBL prices were $5.00 per capsule or $10 per ounce.
• Other Drugs The abuse of OxyContin is an emerging problem in New Orleans, Louisiana. Pills usually cost $100 per 40 milligrams. The most frequently mentioned OxyContin diversion method in New Orleans, Louisiana is forging prescriptions. Some patients also fill legal and legitimate prescriptions and sell some of the pills. OxyContin injection remains a popular form of administration in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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.