Pennsylvania

• Data for 2002 indicate that 76.2% of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania adult male arrestees tested positive for at least one of the following drugs: cocaine, marijuana, Methamphetamine, opiates, or PCP.
• Approximately 63% of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania adult males who were arrested who committed violent offenses tested positive for drugs.
• Nearly 60% of the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania adult males who were arrested reported using marijuana at least once during the past year.

Drugs

• Cocaine: Cocaine remains the major drug of abuse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Most of the crack cocaine users in the city are in their late 20s and 30s. The primary form of crack cocaine sold in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is a rock that ranges in size from 6-9 millimeters and costs $5. Powder cocaine is not as readily available in $5 quantities, but is often found in $10-$20 bags. The crack cocaine available in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is approximately 80% pure and the powder cocaine is 60-80% pure.
• Heroin: According to drug users in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in treatment during autumn 2002, the average heroin user injects the drug 5 times per day. Pulse Check sources indicate that heroin is widely available in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and ranges in purity from 40% to 95%. The price for a gram of heroin ranges from $75 to $300.28 A bundle of heroin (10-13 bags) typically costs between $100 and $120. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania suburbanites often purchase heroin from central city dealers and resell it in the suburbs. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania heroin users are typically age 18 and older. Heroin snorting has risen due to increased purity.
• Methamphetamine: Meth is considered “not very” to “somewhat” available in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where a gram costs approximately $100 and is usually less than 25% pure. Adults over age 30 are the predominant meth users in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Marijuana: Most of the marijuana available in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is not grown locally, the number of indoor hydroponic growing operations has increased. One ounce of commercial marijuana costs $150-$200. The blunt wrap, a new product introduced in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2001, is a tobacco leaf that is moister, fresher, slower burning, and less messy than gutted cigars. A five-pack of blunt wraps sells for $2 on the Internet and in stores, and one wrap sells for $1 on street corners. These blunt wraps come in several flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, and honey.
• Club Drugs: Ecstasy is being used in combination with cough syrup in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In spring 2002, an ecstasy pill cost between $15 and $35 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a vial of ketamine cost $10-$20, and a tab of LSD cost $3-$5.33 In fall 2001, a vial (one dose) of GHB cost $10-$20, one Rohypnol pill cost $10, and one dose of nitrous oxide cost $5.34 PCP has become easier to obtain in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Other Drugs: Use of oxycodone and other narcotic analgesics has escalated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Alprazolam has overtaken diazepam as the most popular pill on the street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. OxyContin abuse and diverted sales continue to emerge in the rave and nightclub scene in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. OxyContin is in great demand by heroin users because it eliminates the need for needles and comes in a controlled measured amount, so users do not have to worry about adulterants.

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.