Texas

Drugs

• According to the El Paso, Texas epidemiologic source, cocaine and heroin are both cheaper and more abundant on the American side of the border than on the Mexican side of the border. This is leading to an increase in people from Mexico crossing over the border to buy the drugs in El Paso, Texas. The dramatic price drop in El Paso, Texas cocaine and heroin (from $10 to $3 a “hit”) is because of competition for the market by three different cartels.
• Cocaine: According to an El Paso, Texas epidemiologic source, crack cocaine has replaced heroin as the drug that causes the most serious consequences. Crack cocaine is sold in central city and rural areas of El Paso, Texas. Young adults (age 18-30) are the age group most likely to use crack cocaine in this city. Powder cocaine is considered to be widely available in El Paso, Texas. According to an El Paso, Texas treatment source, powder cocaine users are likely to either smoke or inject the drug.
• Heroin: The DEA in El Paso, Texas reported that heroin purchased in this city in 2000 is an average of 50.8% pure. Heroin use is spreading to the rural areas surrounding El Paso, Texas. While injection is the most common form of heroin administration, snorting has increased in El Paso, Texas. Mexican brown and black tar heroin are the predominant forms of heroin available in the city of El Paso, Texas.
• Marijuana: Marijuana is considered to be widely available in El Paso, Texas. Mexican commercial-grade marijuana is the predominant form of marijuana available in El Paso, Texas. Adolescents (13-17 years old) are the most likely age group to use marijuana in this city. The El Paso, Texas treatment source reports that some dealers lace marijuana with heroin or cocaine, but that the users are not aware of this practice until they are tested at the clinic.
• Methamphetamine: El Paso, Texas sources indicate that most of the meth available in El Paso, Texas is produced in “box labs,” which are small, mobile, clandestine labs often located in rural areas of the state. According to an El Paso, Texas treatment source, problems associated with meth intensified during spring 2001. Young adults (age 18-30) are the group most likely to use meth in El Paso, Texas.
• Other Drugs:
  • Problems associated with ecstasy and other club drugs escalated in El Paso, Texas during spring 2001.
  • Rohypnol is considered to be somewhat available in El Paso, Texas. This drug is sometimes used with heroin and powder cocaine (a speedball) to “soften the fall when users are coming down from the high.”

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.