Northeast Region

National Drug Intelligence Center
Pharmaceuticals Drug Threat Assessment
November 2004

According to NDTS 2004 data, a higher percentage of state and local law enforcement respondents in the Northeast region identify pharmaceuticals as their greatest drug threat (4.9%) than agencies in any other region of the country. In addition, NDTS data show that 4 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies identify pharmaceuticals as the drugs that most contribute to violent crime, while 4.4 percent report that pharmaceuticals are the drugs that contribute most to property crime in their areas.

The diversion and abuse of prescription narcotics such as oxycodones (OxyContin, Percocet, and Percodan), hydrocodones (Lorcet and Vicodin) and, to a lesser extent, hydromorphones (Dilaudid) are significant and increasing threats to the Northeast region. NDTS 2004 data indicate that a high percentage of state and local law enforcement agencies in the Northeast region report that oxycodones (72.6%) and hydrocodones (50.7%) are commonly diverted and abused in their areas. A smaller percentage of agencies (7.8%) report that hydromorphones are commonly diverted and abused in their areas.

Regional drug prevalence data are not available; however, drug consequence data show increases in the number of ED mentions and treatment admissions for prescription narcotics. DAWN data indicate that the combined number of ED mentions for "Narcotic Analgesics" (prescription narcotics) for the seven DAWN reporting cities in the Northeast region (Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, District of Columbia, Newark, New York City, and Philadelphia) increased sharply and steadily from 2000 (8,842 mentions), to 2001 (12,289 mentions), to 2002 (15,944 mentions). Furthermore, TEDS data show that admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities in the Northeast region for "Other Opiates" (nonheroin opiates/synthetics) also increased sharply from 2000 (9,317 admissions), to 2001 (11,971 admissions), to 2002 (15,684 admissions), the most recent year for which data are available.

Lollipop-Shaped Fentanyl Products Diverted In Eastern Pennsylvania

Law enforcement officials with the DEA Philadelphia Field Division and Philadelphia and Carbondale Police Departments report increasing diversion and distribution of a prescription pain reliever known as Actiq (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate). Actiq contains a form of fentanyl--a synthetic opiate that possesses an analgesic potency approximately 80 times stronger then morphine. The FDA approved Actiq in November 1998 for the management of cancer pain for patients with malignancies who had already received and become tolerant to opioid therapy. Actiq, one of several fentanyl products available by prescription, is distributed as a medicated raspberry-flavored lozenge attached to a short handle resembling a lollipop. As the medicated lozenge dissolves, the active ingredient (fentanyl citrate) is absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Actiq is intended only for those already on an opioid-based pain management program.

Source: Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Philadelphia Police Department; Carbondale Police Department.

Law enforcement survey data as well as TEDS and DAWN data indicate that prescription depressant diversion and abuse are significant and increasing threats to the Northeast region. NDTS 2004 data show that the percentage of state and local law enforcement agencies in the Northeast region that report Valium and Xanax are commonly diverted and abused in their areas is 66.6 percent and 65.8 percent, respectively. DAWN data show that the combined number of ED mentions for benzodiazepines (Valium and Xanax) increased in the seven DAWN reporting cities (Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, District of Columbia, Newark, New York City, and Philadelphia) in the Northeast region from 2000 (11,634 mentions), to 2001 (12,930 mentions), to 2002 (13,392 mentions), the most recent year for which such data are available. TEDS data show an increase in the number of treatment admissions within the region for prescription depressants (tranquilizers and sedative/hypnotics) such as Valium and Xanax. According to TEDS, the number of treatment admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities in the Northeast region for depressants increased from 2000 (4,314 admissions), to 2001 (4,768 admissions), to 2002 (4,853 admissions).

Prescription Depressant Neurontin Diverted and Distributed in New Hampshire

On July 22, 2004, Enfield Police Department officers seized Neurontin, a prescription depressant, while investigating illicit OxyContin distribution in western New Hampshire. During the investigation, a 57-year-old male who was selling OxyContin to undercover officers also offered them 10 samples of Neurontin in various dosage amounts. After arresting the alleged distributor on charges of distributing and selling controlled substances, officers searched the defendant's residence and found additional quantities of OxyContin and Neurontin as well as five loaded firearms. Officers learned that the defendant had received the OxyContin and Neurontin from two pharmacists, one in Tennessee and one in Florida. Officers believe that the defendant knew the Tennessee practitioner because the defendant had lived in Tennessee before moving to New Hampshire 2 years ago. The defendant allegedly was distributing the pharmaceuticals to Enfield area youths.

Source: Enfield Police Department.

The diversion and abuse of pharmaceutical stimulants, particularly methylphenidate (Ritalin), are a concern to law enforcement and public health agencies; however, the threat posed to the region by stimulant diversion and abuse appears to be lower than that of prescription narcotics and depressants. NDTS 2004 data show that 54.8 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies in the Northeast region report that Ritalin is commonly diverted and illicitly used in their areas. DAWN and TEDS data regarding the number of ED mentions and treatment admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities for prescription stimulants are not available.

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