North Dakota

• The Bismarck, North Dakota Police Department reported a total of 163 arrests for drug abuse violations in 2001. This is an increase over the 102 drug arrests reported by the Bismarck, North Dakota Police Department in 2000.
• Bismarck, North Dakota Police Department officials report an escalating number of thefts of over-the- counter medications and chemicals that can be used to produce meth.
• The Burleigh, North Dakota Sheriff’s Office reported a total of 67 drug arrests during 2001. This is an increase over the 57 drug arrests reported by the Burleigh, North Dakota Sheriff’s Office during 2000.
• Native American independent drug dealers distribute drugs to Caucasian abusers. They also distribute drugs on Indian reservations.
• It is known that Mexican criminal groups transport large quantities of marijuana in private vehicles from Denver to Bismarck, North Dakota.
• Mexican males transport an estimated 15 to 20 pounds of meth into the area every two weeks by privately owned vehicles.
• The Sons of Silence outlaw motorcycle gang maintains a chapter in Bismarck, North Dakota. Sons of Silence is responsible for transporting meth and other drugs into the Bismarck, North Dakota area.
• According to the Metro Area Narcotics Task Force and the Bismarck, North Dakota Police Department, Caucasian local independent dealers are the primary distributors of Mexican-produced marijuana. Local marijuana producers distribute the drug in their production areas.
• From January to June 2002, there were 12 meth lab seizures in Burleigh, North Dakota County reported by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
• According to the Bismarck, North Dakota Police Department, the overall number of Methamphetamine overdoses has increased in the area.

Drugs

• Heroin: While there are indications of heroin availability in the Bismarck, North Dakota area, there were no heroin-related arrests or seizures during 2000.
• Cocaine: According to the Bismarck, North Dakota Police Department, cocaine use has droped since 1998.
• Club Drugs: LSD abuse is increasing in the Bismarck, North Dakota area, primarily among college students and young adults. The drug is available in liquid form and on sugar cubes.
• Diverted Pharmaceuticals: The prescription drug OxyContin is escalating in abuse in Bismarck, North Dakota and abusers are writing fraudulent prescriptions, altering prescriptions, and even posing as doctors to obtain the drug.

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.