NCJ Number
204701
Date Published
May 2002
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This report is a strategic assessment that addresses the status and outlook of the drug threat to the State of Tennessee.
Abstract
The distribution and abuse of drugs threaten the security of Tennessee residents. This report, conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center, describes and analyzes the drug threat to the State of Tennessee. An analytical judgment determines the threat posed by each drug type or category (i.e. heroin, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and other dangerous drugs), taking into account the most quantitative and qualitative information on availability, demand, production or cultivation, transportation and distribution, as well as the effects of a particular drug on abusers and society. This assessment shows that cocaine is the primary drug threat to the State because crack cocaine is readily available, commonly abused, and more frequently associated with violent crime. In addition, marijuana is the most prevalent drug with rates of abuse highest among teenagers and young adults. However, marijuana is generally not generally associated with violent crime. Methamphetamine is increasingly available and abused with its association to violence remaining much lower than the violence associated with cocaine. Other dangerous drugs, particularly MDMA and diverted pharmaceuticals, are available and abused to a much lesser extent. Heroin is the least available and abused drug in Tennessee. The outlook for the current assessed threat posed by these drugs in the State of Tennessee is seen as remaining unchanged.