Oregon

• Preliminary research data for 2002 indicate that 66.3% of adult male arrestees and 67% of adult female arrestees in Portland, Oregon tested positive for at least one of the following drugs at arrest: cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or meth.
• Additionally Portland, Oregon arrestee drug use data for 2002 shows that 54% of the adult male arrestees used marijuana within the past year. Among those reporting past year marijuana use, the average number of days marijuana was used in the past month was 8 days.
• Approximately 49% of Portland, Oregon adult female arrestees reported past year use of marijuana. The average number of days the drug was used in the past month was 7.3.
• In 2000, the Drugs and Vice Division of the Portland, Oregon Police Bureau made a total of 63 arrests involving crack.
• The majority of marijuana available in Portland, Oregon is cultivated in home grow operations. Canadian and domestic marijuana in the Portland, Oregon area is available in multi-pound quantities.
• Heroin typically is transported overland to Portland, Oregon via the 1-5 corridor from source cities in Mexico through traffickers in California.
• During 2000, the Drugs and Vice Division of the Portland, Oregon Police Bureau seized drugs priced at nearly $10 million.
• During 2001, there were 117 drug-related deaths reported to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) by Medical Examiners (ME) in Multnomah County, Oregon.

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.