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Surveillance of Drug Abuse Trends in the State of Ohio

NCJ Number
202753
Author(s)
Patrick White
Date Published
2003
Length
122 pages
Annotation
This document presents drug abuse trends in the State of Ohio for June 2002-January 2003.
Abstract
The most commonly abused drugs in the Summit and Stark Country region of Ohio are alcohol, crack cocaine, and marijuana. There are new users of crack cocaine in all ethnic groups, ages, both sexes, and social classes. The quality and purity of the drug varies. Marijuana is rivaling alcohol for acceptability, especially among younger users. Marijuana has been more difficult to obtain and is high-priced at the present time. Alcohol, crack cocaine, and marijuana are often used in combination with each other or some other drug. As more small methamphetamine producers learn to manufacture the drug, methamphetamine use is reportedly on the increase. The abuse of over-the-counter medications is increasing, as is the use of club drugs. Heroin use continues to rise, as users of other narcotic/analgesics such as OxyContin transition from the pharmaceutical opiates to street drugs. Despite efforts to educate the public of the strong addictive potential of OxyContin, Lortab, Vicodin, Percocet, Demerol, Dilaudid, Darvocet, codeine, and other painkillers, they continue to be abused in larger numbers. With the exception of Ritalin and Adderall, there is very little activity reported in the region with pharmaceutical amphetamines. Benzodiazepines are the most widely abused drugs of the depressant and/or sedative category in the region. Younger and older age groups are coming to treatment in increasing numbers. There continues to be a great need for drug treatment for adolescents, especially residential treatment. Other needs in this area are increasing alcohol treatment activities within correction facilities; services for pregnant female adolescents; availability of longer treatment stays; and job training for more than entry-level, minimum-wage jobs. Appendix