The Drug Problem
The Drug Situation In California
Due to California’s diverse culture and unique geography, there are many issues that affect the drug situation in California. Los Angeles is a distribution center for all types of illicit drugs destined for other major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. as well as locally.
Cocaine: Cocaine is readily available throughout the state. Cocaine is also widely available in San Francisco and other areas of northern California.
Heroin: The increased availability of high purity heroin that can be snorted allows a new, younger population to use heroin without a syringe and needle. Drug treatment specialists stated that these new heroin users ingest large amounts of heroin and become quickly addicted.
Methamphatamine: Methamphetamine is the primary drug threat in California. Within California itself, Hispanics and Caucasians are the almost exclusive consumers of meth.
Club Drugs: Although MDMA or Ecstasy was considered the most popular “club drug” in the state among teens and young adults, there are indicators that its use may be decreasing across the board, yet consistently available in geographical pockets. Recent studies indicate that use of MDMA is expanding from raves and clubs into schools, malls and residences. Compton (near Los Angeles) remains a primary source of PCP throughout the U.S. Street gangs continue to control both production and distribution of PCP. LSD remains readily available throughout the Los Angeles area. The ample supply of LSD is due to the number LSD laboratories operating in remote areas of Northern California, which has been the center of LSD production since the 1960’s. Internet sales of GHB and GBL persist.
Prescription Drugs: Doctor shopping and prescription forgery are the primary methods of prescription drug abuse in the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan areas. In Northern California, OxyContin, Vicodin, benzodiazepines and carisoprodol are most commonly abused. In the Los Angeles area, Demerol, Dilaudid, Diazepam, Hydrocodone and steroids remain the principal drugs abused. The San Diego area prescription drugs of choice are Vicodin, VicodinES, Lortab, and Vicoprofen. Rohypnol remains readily available throughout the Los Angeles area, due primarily to the city’s proximity to Mexico.MARIJUANA: Marijuana remains the most widely available and abused illicit substance in California. Large quantities of low-grade marijuana are smuggled into the state from Mexico. Highly potent Canadian marijuana, commonly referred to as “BC bud” is also smuggled into the state. Potent domestic marijuana is also cultivated in sophisticated indoor, hydroponic gardens throughout the state.
Crack: Los Angeles based gangs dominate the street level distribution of crack cocaine throughout the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas. Cocaine bought by the gangs is “rocked” or converted into crack cocaine in the Los Angeles area and then sold locally or distributed to other cities in California and nationally. These organizations frequently use intimidation and violence to facilitate their narcotics trafficking activities. Gang members involved in the street distribution of crack are often armed and have a propensity towards violence against other gang members whom they feel are invading their areas of control.
Other Drugs: Vicodin, Ritalin, Rohypnol, Ketamine, and Valium are commonly diverted pharmaceutical narcotics. Many of these narcotics are used by teens and young adults frequenting the club scene.
Information here is taken from the Friends of Narconon site. For more information, click here.
