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Abuse

Illicit drug abuse levels in the Northern California HIDTA region are high, particularly for ice methamphetamine. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) reveal that methamphetamine/amphetamines were identified more often than any other drug, including alcohol, as the primary substance of abuse for treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities in California from 2003 through 2007 (the latest year for which data are available). (See Table 5.) The number of treatment admissions for marijuana abuse is also high and increasing but is not considered to be as significant as the number for methamphetamine abuse, the effects of which are much more difficult to treat. Cocaine, heroin, and ODDs are also commonly distributed and abused within the HIDTA region.

Table 5. Drug-Related Treatment Admissions to Publicly Funded Facilities in California, by Drug Type, 2003-2007

Drug Type 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Methamphetamine/amphetamines 62,152 60,385 67,353 70,670 67,312
Marijuana/hashish 27,505 24,867 26,836 28,984 31,362
Cocaine 23,778 21,330 19,104 20,121 19,393
Heroin 38,682 34,028 29,707 29,825 28,493
Other opioids 3,497 3,434 3,207 4,931 6,031
PCP 1,203 899 725 685 694
Hallucinogens 184 152 167 110 111
Other stimulants 134 107 91 115 237
Tranquilizers 298 260 250 256 221
Sedatives 377 386 324 274 273

Source: Treatment Episode Data Set.

Abuse of diverted CPDs is an increasing problem within the region, especially for teenagers and young adults. According to treatment providers, the most sought-after and abused CPDs are benzodiazepines, hydrocodones, oxycodones, synthetic opioids, and Schedule IV diet drugs. Distributors and abusers commonly divert CPDs through doctor-shopping, drug prescription forgery, and Internet purchase. The fraudulent and illegal sale of CPDs over the Internet is a particular concern to law enforcement officials and treatment providers in the region.

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Illicit Finance

Traffickers use a variety of methods to launder illegal drug proceeds in the HIDTA region. Mexican DTOs transport illicit drug proceeds primarily in bulk from the region to locations at or near the U.S.-Mexico border. These proceeds are generally commingled with illicit drug proceeds generated in other areas and smuggled into Mexico for eventual repatriation. Asian traffickers also use bulk transport to launder drug proceeds, but to a lesser extent. They smuggle bulk currency to Canada in private and commercial vehicles or to Asian countries using aircraft, maritime conveyances, and package delivery services.

Mexican and Asian traffickers also launder drug proceeds through money transmittal businesses located in their own ethnic communities. Moreover, they use businesses such as import-export companies for wire remittances. Traffickers, particularly Asian criminal groups, also launder money through informal value transfer systems (IVTSs) such as hawala, hundi, and fei ch'ien. Many of these IVTSs are culturally based and, because of their clandestine nature, are difficult to track. Illicit money transfers made through these underground systems are easily concealed in the high volume of legal transfers made within the systems.


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