Nevada

• In 2000, there were 10,120 drug abuse violation arrests in Nevada reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting program.
• More than 67% of Nevada high school seniors reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetimes.
• Due to its close proximity to California and its porous border, Nevada often serves as a transshipment point for different types of drugs to the central and eastern sections of the United States.
• During FY 2001, Federal agencies seized forty-five kilograms of Methamphetamine in Nevada.
• During 2001, the Drug Enforcement Administration's Marijuana Eradication and Suppression program was responsible for eradicating 7,732 cultivated marijuana plants in Nevada.
• DEA, Nevada state and local law enforcement agencies seized 255 clandestine laboratories in Nevada during FY 2001.
• DEA Mobile Enforcement Team deployments in Nevada have resulted in the following seizures:
  • 0.4 pounds of cocaine
  • 0.6 pounds of crack cocaine
  • 2.2 pounds of marijuana
  • 18.5 pounds of Methamphetamine
  • nine weapons; and $31,275 in U.S. currency
• In 2001, more than 10,000 people were admitted to drug/alcohol treatment in Nevada.

Drugs

• Cocaine: Cocaine, particularly crack cocaine, is an escalating problem in the urban areas of Nevada. Cocaine HCL is moderately available in northern Nevada and readily available throughout the southern areas of Nevada.
• Heroin: Mexican black tar heroin remains the most prevalent form of heroin available in Nevada.
• Marijuana: Domestically cultivated and Mexican grown marijuana remain readily available in the state of Nevada. In June 2001, Assembly Bill 453 was signed into law allowing patients to use marijuana for medicinal purposes.
• Methamphetamine: Meth, both imported into the state and locally produced, remains the principal drug of concern in Nevada. The purity level for meth imported into the state ranges from 9%-26%. Locally-produced Methamphetamine is often of a higher purity level, averaging ninety percent.
• Club Drugs: The availability of club drugs in Nevada ranges from sporadic in the northern urban areas of Nevada to readily available in cities in the southern section of the state, particularly Las Vegas, Nevada. Club drugs are typically abused in local nightclubs, adult entertainment clubs, and at raves.
• Other Drugs: The pharmaceutical drugs of choice in Nevada include Lortab, Hydrocodone, Xanax, Codeine, Diazepam, and Oxycodone. Prescription forgery and doctor shopping remain the primary methods by which pharmaceutical drugs are obtained in Nevada.

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.