Conclusions
According to Pulse Check sources, while cocaine, and particularly crack cocaine, continues to be the most widely abused illicit drug on the market, the market for cocaine has stabilized. As it developed a reputation as a "junkie" drug, cocaine has attracted less initiates. However, the market for heroin appears to be growing; sources in all regions of the country report that heroin use and availability are growing. Marijuana use, especially youth marijuana use, is also increasing.
The growth in the availability of high purity heroin in large urban areas has had several consequences on the drug market. First, double breasted dealing continues in many areas, with dealers supplying both heroin and cocaine to users. Second, many young users are experimenting with heroin. These new, young users may be at-risk youth who, in an earlier era, probably would have been likely to use crack. They may also be middle-class teenagers or young adults who are part of the "rave" or club scene. Third, some older, long-term crack abusers are now switching from crack to heroin or substituting crack with heroin.
Sources report that youth drug use is growing in many areas. Youth marijuana use, particularly in the form of "blunts," continues to rise. "Club drugs" are also increasingly popular. The category of club drugs typically includes: hallucinogens, such as LSD, MDMA, and psychedelic mushrooms; prescription drugs, such as Clonapin, Lexotan, and Rohypnol; and heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, or marijuana, depending on availability. These drugs are taken in various combinations, and may be mixed with licit substances such as caffeine, coffee beans, and codeine cough syrup to enhance the total drug effect. In addition, some sources report an increase in the use of inhalants, such as Freon, glue, paint, and aerosols, by young people.
Treatment providers report that the major illicit drug of abuse at admission continues to be cocaine. Most cocaine treatment clients are crack users; they tend to be an older population who are long-term drug abusers. There has been an increase in heroin abusers entering treatment facilities, especially in the Northeast and West/Southwest regions. Most heroin clients are older, long-term heroin users who have had prior treatment. There has been a slight increase in all regions in marijuana abuse treatment clients, many of whom are young users with no prior treatment experience. Treatment providers notice that more of these young clients also have problems with inhalant abuse. Alcohol abuse continues to be a problem for almost every type of treatment client.
