Washington

• Preliminary data for 2002 indicate that 70.1% of the adult males arrested in Seattle, Washington tested positive for at least one of the following drugs at arrest: cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or Methamphetamine.
• Additional Seattle, Washington arrestee drug use data for 2002 indicate that 58.7% of the adult male arrestees used marijuana within the past year. Among those reporting past year marijuana use, the average number of days the drug was used in the past month was 9.1 days.

Drugs

• Cocaine: Cocaine is increasingly more available in King County. While adolescents are the predominant crack sellers in Seattle, Washington, young adults (ages 18-30) and older adults (over age 30) are the predominant users. Some crack cocaine users ingest benzodiazepines to “take the edge off.” Crack sells for $100 per gram and is 40-85% pure. Crack is typically sold in $2, $5, or $10 rocks. Powder cocaine prices range from approximately $500 to $1,000 per ounce for 57-68% pure product. A gram of powder cocaine sells for $35 to $50.24 Anal use of powder cocaine is a phenomenon that has recently been reported in Seattle, Washington.
• Heroin: The main form of heroin available in the Seattle, Washington area is Mexican black tar. According to law enforcement sources, heroin is widely available in Seattle, Washington and heroin use is spreading to the Seattle, Washington suburbs. Heroin and cocaine are sometimes injected simultaneously; heroin and crack are sometimes smoked sequentially. Sequential swallowing of clonazepam or alprozolam with heroin has also been reported. An emerging group of heroin users is taking Methamphetamine in combination with the heroin. There are occasional reports of high quality heroin found at local needle exchanges. The Northwest HIDTA reports that Mexican black tar heroin prices in King County during 2002 were as follows: $25-$100/gram; $450- $900/ounce; $6,000-$10,000/pound; and $11,500-$20,000/kilogram.
• Marijuana: Adolescents and young adults are the most likely age groups to use marijuana. BC bud is the most common and most expensive of the marijuana varieties found in King County, Washington. Prices associated with local hydroponically grown marijuana are $15-$25 per gram, $40-$50 per 1/8 ounce, and $325-$400 per ounce. One pound of Mexican marijuana costs $500-$700, one pound of BC bud costs $2,800-$3,000, and 100 starter plants cost $1,500.34 THC levels of marijuana found in Seattle, Washington are 2-3% per pound of Mexican; 12-18% per pound of domestic indoor hydroponic; and 15-25% per pound of BC bud.
• Methamphetamine: The use of meth. has increased in Seattle, Washington. Young adults are the most common age group to use the drug in the area. Law enforcement has noticed a decrease in purity of Mexican Methamphetamine, due to an increase in dilution with methylsulfonomethane (MSM). Locally produced Methamphetamine is now more pure than Mexican Methamphetamine. Street prices of Methamphetamine in Seattle, Washington/King County are $20-$100/gram, $350-$1,200/ounce, and $5,000- $15,000/pound.
• Club Drugs: MDMA prices are lower at raves than in the community. MDMA pills sell for $10-$20 at raves and $20-$30 on the street. Fraudulent MDMA substitutions (specifically hormone replacement pills) have been reported in Seattle, Washington. GHB sells for $100 for 100 dosage units. One dose of LSD sells for $5.39
• Other Drugs: According to the local DEA, Hydrocodone is the most commonly diverted narcotic in the Seattle, Washington area. Most of the methadone sold illegally is in tablet form and costs $0.50 per milligram. The availability of diverted OxyContin has increased in Seattle, Washington during Fall 2001 to Spring 2002. Doctors and pharmacists are increasingly involved in selling diverted OxyContin.

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.