NCJ Number
162477
Date Published
1996
Length
46 pages
Annotation
Interviews with professionals who worked in a field related to drug abuse in Allegany County (Md.) and Baltimore formed the basis of an analysis of emerging drug problems in these communities.
Abstract
The research was modeled after the National Pulse Check program of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The 17 participants were interviewed over the telephone during October and November 1995. The interviews focused on current drug use patterns and changes in the community, demographics of the typical user and seller of each drug, the route of administration for each drug, current patterns of polydrug use, current price and purity levels, and social or economic factors that may have affected drug use patterns in the past 6 months. Results revealed that overall drug use has remained relatively stable in Allegany County over the past 6 months. Alcohol is the main drug of abuse; marijuana is the second most widely abused drug. New patterns of distribution have been observed in the trafficking of marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Experimentation and use of inhalants have been increasing among secondary school students. Hard-core drug users in Baltimore tend to use crack, heroin, and cocaine powder. This population also abuses alcohol, marijuana, PCP, and prescription drugs. Several participants reported an increase in youth who are smoking crack; many adolescents use crack in conjunction with marijuana. Drug dealers usually range from the midteens to the 30's and usually sell only one type of drug. Several participants mentioned that economic factors are contributing to Baltimore's drug problem. Appended table, instrument, and list of participants