Minnesota

• In 2002, there were 1,528 narcotics offenses recorded to the St. Paul, Minnesota Police Department. This number is down from 1,590 in 2001, 1,721 in 2000, and 1,568 during 1999.
• In 2002, there were 1,219 adult arrests in St. Paul, Minnesota for drug offenses. This number rose from 1,135 in 2001.
• The St. Paul, Minnesota crime lab handled 20 oxycodone cases in 2002. This is up from 4 oxycodone cases in 2001.17

Drugs

• Cocaine: The price of cocaine in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area is typically $100/gram, $220/8- ball (1/8 ounce), $700-$800/ounce, and $22,000/kilogram. A rock of crack cocaine ranges in price from $5 to $20 in the area.
• Heroin: There has been an rise in the availability of high-purity, low cost heroin in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area since 2000. Heroin prices in the area range from $20 to $50 per dosage unit, $300-$400/gram, and $900-$1,200/ounce.
• Marijuana: In the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area, the average cost of marijuana is $3-$5 per joint. Standard “commercial grade” marijuana sells for $250/ounce and $1,000/pound, while BC Bud sells for up to $800/ounce and $5,000/pound.
• Methamphetamine: Meth sells for $90-$100/gram, $240-$280/8-ball (1/8 ounce), $600- $800/ounce, and up to $10,000/pound in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area.
• Other Drugs: There has been a rise in the use of prescription narcotic analgesics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area. Drugs containing oxycodone is a problem in the area. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) recently surfaced as a drug of abuse among adolescents in the St. Paul, Minnesota area. It is reportedly being used to reduce the nausea that occurs after youth ingest large amounts of cough syrup, and it is also being used as a substance of abuse itself.

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.