Maine

• The Portland, Maine Police Department reported a total of 70 arrests for drug abuse violations during 2000.

Drugs

• Cocaine: Crack cocaine is considered “somewhat available” in Portland, Maine, is 80% pure, and costs $50 per rock. Young adults (ages 18-30) are the predominant crack users in the city. Powder cocaine costs approximately $80-100/gram and is 40-60% pure.
• Heroin: Portland, Maine sources indicate that heroin has surpassed crack as the drug associated with the most serious consequences and it is considered the most widely used illicit drug in the city. High-purity snortable South American (Colombian) white heroin is the most common type found in Portland, Maine. The most recent harmful adulterant used in the heroin available in Portland, Maine is cocaine. Heroin purity has increased to approximately 70% and costs between $25-30 for 0.1 gram. The predominant heroin user in Portland, Maine is white and eighteen years of age or older.
• Marijuana: Large outdoor grows of high-grade marijuana are reported in Portland, Maine in the summer. Organized groups with small plots are combining efforts in order to bypass laws aimed at large plots. An ounce of high-grade marijuana costs between $175 and $225 in Portland, Maine.
• Methamphetamine: The availability of meth increased from spring 2001 to fall of 2001. Methamphetamine sales typically take place at Portland, Maine rave scene.
• Club Drugs: One MDMA (ecstasy) pill costs approximately $25 in Portland, Maine. The use of GHB and the availability of LSD have increased in the city.
• Other Drugs:
  • Methadone is increasingly reported as a heroin substitute.
  • The availability of diverted OxyContin has declined in Portland, Maine, possibly due to tightened controls. When available, OxyContin costs $1 per milligram. Some Portland, Maine pharmacists target elderly patients with valid prescriptions and break into their homes. Other methods of obtaining OxyContin include the following: forged prescriptions; doctor shopping, which involves going from one doctor to another to obtain as many prescriptions as possible; and pharmaceutical robberies. Heroin is reported as a common OxyContin substitute in Portland, Maine.

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.