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National Drug Intelligence Center


Title:

 California Drug Threat Assessment Update

Publication Date: May  2002
Original Publications: 
California Southern District: December 2000
California Northern and Eastern Districts: January 2001
California Central District: May 2001

Document ID: 2002-S0387CCA-001

Archived on:  January 1, 2006. This document may contain dated information. It remains available to provide access to historical materials.

This report is a brief update to the three California Drug threat assessments, which are strategic assessments of the status and outlook of the drug threat to California. Analytical judgment determined the threat posed by each drug type or category, taking into account the most current 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 as a whole. While NDIC sought to incorporate the latest available information, a time lag often exists between collection and publication of data. NDIC anticipates that this update will be useful to policymakers, law enforcement personnel, and treatment providers at the federal, state, and local levels. 

The California Northern and Eastern Districts Drug Threat Assessment was produced in January 2001,  the California Central District Drug Threat Assessment in May 2001,  and the California Southern District Drug Threat Assessment in December 2000. They are available on NDIC's web site www.usdoj.gov/ndic or by contacting the NDIC dissemination line at 814-532-4541.

Your questions, comments, and suggestions for future subjects are welcome at any time.  Addresses are provided at the end of the page.


Contents

Overview

Methamphetamine

Cocaine

Heroin

Marijuana

Other Dangerous Drugs
  MDMA
  GHB
  Ketamine
  LSD
  PCP
  Diverted Pharmaceuticals

Outlook

List of Charts 

Chart 1. Drug-Related Treatment Admissions, California, 2000-2001
Chart 2. Drug-Related Deaths, Selected California Cities, 2000

List of Tables 

Table 1. Methamphetamine Laboratory Seizures, California, 1999-2001 


Overview

California is one of the most active drug smuggling and production areas in the United States. The state's vast transportation infrastructure and its proximity to both Mexico and the Pacific Ocean are conducive to drug trafficking, particularly the movement of large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and other dangerous drugs to drug markets within and outside California. Southern California, primarily Los Angeles, is a national level transportation hub and distribution center for illicit drugs. As a result, all drugs of abuse are readily available in the state.

Methamphetamine poses the most significant drug threat to California. Cocaine and heroin are prevalent throughout the state, and prices and purity levels for each are relatively stable. Marijuana is the most readily available and widely abused drug. Other dangerous drugs such as MDMA and GHB are emerging threats throughout the state.


Addresses

National Drug Intelligence Center
319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901

Tel. (814) 532-4601
FAX (814) 532-4690
E-mail NDIC.Contacts@usdoj.gov

National Drug Intelligence Center
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001
McLean, VA 22102-3840

Tel. (703) 556-8970
FAX (703) 556-7807

Web Addresses

ADNET:  http://ndicosa 
      DOJ:  http://www.usdoj.gov/archive/ndic/
      LEO:  home.leo.gov/lesig/archive/ndic/ 


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