New Jersey

• In 2001, the Drug Enforcement Administration reported making a total of 1,032 arrests for drug violations in New Jersey.
• During 2001, there were 47,763 adult arrests for drug abuse violations in the state of New Jersey. This is a 4% drop over the 49,702 adult drug arrests in 2000.

Drugs

• Cocaine: Both powder and crack cocaine are significant drug threats to the state of New Jersey. In the northern areas of the New Jersey, powder cocaine sold for $22,000-$34,000 per kilogram, $750-$1,200 per ounce, and $25-$85 per gram in the second quarter of FY 2002. In southern New Jersey, powder cocaine sold for $25,000-$34,000 per kilogram, $500-$1,200 per ounce, and $30-$100 per gram. Crack cocaine sold for $750-$2,250 per ounce in northern New Jersey and $600-$2,000 per ounce in southern New Jersey. A rock of crack cocaine sold for approximately $5-$20 throughout the New Jersey.
• Heroin: Heroin from all major source areas is available in New Jersey. However, South American heroin is the form most readily available. In the first half of FY 2002, the average purity of the heroin found in the Newark, New Jersey area was 78.6%. Heroin prices are significantly higher in southern New Jersey than northern areas of New Jersey. For example, heroin sold for $125,000-$250,000 per kilogram, $4,500-$9,000 per ounce, and $80-$300 per gram in southern New Jersey. In northern New Jersey, heroin sold for $60,000-$120,000 per kilogram, $1,600-$4,200 per ounce, and $60-$150 per-24-gram.
• Marijuana: Marijuana is the most commonly abused and widely available illicit drug in the state of New Jersey. Prices for domestic marijuana throughout the state of New Jersey ranged from $600 to $3,000 per pound, $100 to $650 per ounce, and $5 to $10 per gram in the second quarter of FY 2002.
• Methamphetamine The distribution and abuse of meth pose a lower threat to New Jersey than other drugs.
• Club Drugs: The use of club drugs remains popular in nightclubs throughout New Jersey and particularly in the casino areas of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Wholesale quantities of MDMA (500 MDMA tablets or more) usually sell for $3-$5 per tablet. Retail quantities of MDMA sell for $20-$30 per tablet. The availability and abuse of GHB are increasing in New Jersey. Ketamine usually sells for $20 per bag in New Jersey.
• Other Drugs: The stimulant khat is readily available in New Jersey and use seems to be limited to immigrant communities from Arabian, East African, and Middle Eastern countries. Diverted pharmaceuticals are increasingly being distributed and abused in the state of New Jersey.
  

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.