NCJ Number
230354
Date Published
February 2010
Length
84 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overall assessment of the availability and abuse of illicit drugs in the United States.
Abstract
This National Drug Threat Assessment from the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) includes information provided from 3,069 State and local law enforcement agencies to the 2009 NDIC National Drug Threat Survey. The report is divided into numerous sections that address emerging developments related to the trafficking and use of illicit drugs, the nonmedical use of controlled prescription drugs (CPDs), and the laundering of illicit drug sale proceeds. The report also examines the role of drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and organized gangs in domestic drug trafficking, the significance of the Southwest Border in the illegal drug trade, and the impact to society of drug abuse. One section provides data on the availability of five major illicit drugs: cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). The data in this report indicate that in 2009, the availability of cocaine decreased while heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and MDMA remained readily available, with increases shown in some areas. Other trends found in the data include: Asian DTOs are responsible for the resurgence in MDMA availability, particularly since 2005; the increase in the availability of heroin is a partly a result of increased production in Mexico; increased marijuana production in Mexico has resulted in an increase in the flow of marijuana across the Southwest Border; and Mexican DTOs continue to represent the single greatest drug trafficking threat to the United States. Tables, figures, appendixes, list of sources