Outlook

Cocaine, particularly crack, will continue to be the most significant drug threat to Tennessee. The situation is not likely to change in the near future because of the strong market. Street gangs with a long history of violence associated with crack distribution will continue to protect their turf and threaten the security of Tennessee residents.

Marijuana will remain the most readily available and commonly abused drug in Tennessee. Mexico-produced marijuana is the type most commonly abused throughout the state, and there are no indications that this trend will change. Local producers will continue to cultivate cannabis in the Appalachia-Cumberland Plateau region, which provides ideal growing conditions. Numerous criminal groups, street gangs, and local independent dealers likely will continue to distribute marijuana in Tennessee since demand for the drug is high.

Methamphetamine abuse will continue to increase in Tennessee, but abuse rates will remain below the national rates for the near term. Methamphetamine produced in Mexico and southwestern states will continue to be the principal type available and abused in Tennessee. However, local production likely will continue to increase as the popularity of the drug increases. Mexican criminal groups based in Tennessee will remain the primary wholesale distributors of methamphetamine and local independent Caucasian producers will continue to be the primary distributors and consumers of locally produced methamphetamine. If methamphetamine becomes even more available, the level of associated violence likely will escalate.

The distribution and abuse of MDMA and diverted pharmaceuticals will continue to increase in Tennessee. Abuse levels of MDMA likely will escalate as the drug becomes more available at rave parties, dance clubs, bars, and on college campuses. Prescription drugs, particularly Dilaudid and OxyContin, will increasingly be diverted in Tennessee. Although it is unlikely an abuser population for khat will develop in Tennessee, khat will continue to be shipped through the Memphis International Airport using package delivery services.

Heroin is infrequently available and rarely abused in Tennessee and there are no indications that this trend will change. Heroin, which is mostly destined for areas outside the state, will continue to be shipped through Memphis International Airport using package delivery services.

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