Outlook

Cocaine availability will probably continue at current levels, and abuse will likely show a modest increase. Abuse statistics have shown a gradual upward movement for several years, and there are no indications of restricted availability of cocaine in the state's population centers.

Greater profit margins, lack of competition, and law enforcement pressure will ensure continued migration of gang members into Minnesota's midsized and smaller cities. Cities in Northern and Central Minnesota have begun to experience the gang-related problems usually associated with large urban areas. This trend is likely to continue.

Methamphetamine will remain in abundant supply, but the current low purity of Mexican methamphetamine probably will lead to the establishment of more laboratories in the state and may push the expanding customer base to look for a source other than the Mexican DTOs. The first seizure of Asian methamphetamine pills in Minnesota in March 2001 may presage an attempt by Asian criminal groups to expand into the Minnesota drug market. The introduction of higher purity methamphetamine by local laboratory operators or Asian criminal groups could cause a reversal of the recently declining overdoses and deaths.

Heroin abuse likely will continue to increase gradually. A sudden dramatic increase in abuse probably will be precluded by the following factors: the limited availability of heroin, the historically low heroin abuse rates in Minnesota, and the fact that the user population is aging, in spite of the influx of new, young users.

Marijuana abuse likely will continue to increase. Statistics show that its use is climbing among youth and that marijuana is increasingly available. Most of the marijuana will continue to come from Mexico.

Club drugs such as MDMA and GHB are becoming a threat in Minnesota, especially among adolescents and young adults. The popularity of these drugs will continue to increase, especially in college towns. Increases in the number of raves will provide adolescents and young adults with easy access to these and a variety of illicit drugs. The number of emergency room and treatment admissions probably will increase as the popularity of these drugs continues to grow.
 

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