South Dakota

• In 2000, the Sioux Falls, South Dakota Police Identification Section logged a total of 4,560 drug/drug-related items into evidence. Chemical analysis was performed on 552 items suspected of being illegal or abused substances. This is more than double the number of analysis tests conducted the previous year.

Drugs

• Cocaine: Crack and powder cocaine are considered “somewhat available” in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area. A small rock (0.3-0.5 grams) of crack cocaine and a gram of cocaine each cost around $100. White adolescents and young adults are the groups most likely to use crack cocaine. Treatment sources indicate that clients occasionally inject crack cocaine. Powder cocaine and marijuana are sometimes combined in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
• Heroin: Pulse Check sources show that heroin is “not very available” in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Those who do use heroin are typically white individuals between the ages of eighteen and thirty. Injection and snorting are both popular methods of administering heroin in the city.
• Marijuana: Marijuana is widely available in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The locally produced commercial grade marijuana is the most common type found in the city. Mexican commercial grade marijuana, the second most frequently found variety, typically costs $350-$450 for a quarter pound and $100-$200 for one ounce.
• Methamphetamine: The number of clandestine meth labs has risen in the area over the past few years. Meth is considered “widely available” in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and costs $80-$100 per gram. After the events of September 11, 2001 the amount of small local Methamphetamine labs increased, possibly to compensate for the decreased levels of the drug entering the United States. Pulse Check sources indicate that Methamphetamine contributes to the most serious consequences in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
• Other Drugs:
  • The availability of diverted OxyContin increased from spring 2001 to fall 2001. OxyContin abusers tend to also abuse other prescription substances. Abuse and diverted sales of OxyContin continue to esclate in the rave and nightclub scenes in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  • An increase in GHB availability has been reported in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  • Amphetamine and mescaline are used as adulterants to ecstasy (MDMA) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. One MDMA pill typically costs $30-$50. Some users ingest Ecstasy by crushing and snorting the tablets.

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.