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National
Drug Intelligence Center Nevada High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Market Analysis June 2007 AbuseDrug abuse levels in the Nevada HIDTA region, particularly those for methamphetamine and prescription drugs, are high. According to the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health3 released by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), methamphetamine use nationwide was highest in Nevada. Additionally, data from SAMHSA's Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) for 2002 through 2005 (the most recent year for which data are available) indicate that methamphetamines/amphetamines were identified more often than any other substance, including alcohol, as the primary substance of abuse in admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities in Nevada. The vast majority of these admissions occurred in the Nevada HIDTA region. Moreover, Nevada's law enforcement and public health authorities report that methamphetamine abuse is the most significant drug-related health threat in Native American communities in Nevada. The total number of drug-related deaths in Clark County rose between 2004 (391) and 2006 (474), according to the Clark County Coroner's Office. Drug-related deaths have been attributed more to diverted pharmaceuticals than to any other drug, and the number of deaths has increased annually over the last 3 years. The number of drug-related deaths attributed to cocaine has also increased steadily since 2004. The number of methamphetamine-related deaths slightly decreased in 2005, a development that could reflect the decline in the availability of higher-purity methamphetamine during this time. However, the number of methamphetamine-related deaths increased in 2006, rising above both 2004 and 2005 levels. (See Table 2.) Additionally, numerous autopsies revealed the abuse of various drug combinations involving pharmaceuticals (including oxycodones and hydrocodones), stimulants (methamphetamine and cocaine), and opiates (heroin, methadone, and prescription opiates).
Drug-Related CrimeMethamphetamine trafficking and abuse are the leading contributors to property crime and violent crime in the Nevada HIDTA region. Most methamphetamine-related property crime, such as burglary, identity theft, and larceny, is committed by methamphetamine abusers, while most methamphetamine-related violent crime, such as armed robbery, assault, and homicide, is committed by methamphetamine distributors in the course of drug trafficking operations. Additionally, Nevada state and local law enforcement agencies responding to the NDIC 2006 National Drug Threat Survey report that methamphetamine was the drug that most contributed to property crime and violent crime in their areas.
High abuse levels of diverted pharmaceuticals have also been linked to property crime within the HIDTA region. According to law enforcement officials, pharmaceutical drug abusers are increasingly engaging in identify theft to obtain fraudulent prescriptions for OxyContin (oxycodone) and hydrocodones. They are also committing pharmacy break-ins to acquire the drugs. A significant number of homicides are committed each year in Nevada; most are perpetrated in Clark County. (See Table 3.) Several homicides are linked to drug trafficking and gang-related violence each year. Law enforcement officials anticipate that gang-related homicides may rise as a result of a general increase in violence among younger gang members seeking to establish "street" reputations. Moreover, law enforcement officers report that younger gang members are also more likely to commit violent acts toward law enforcement officers.
End Note3. From 2002 through 2005 an estimated 1.4 million persons (0.6% of the total U.S. population) aged 12 or older had used methamphetamine in the past year. Rates of abuse were highest in Nevada (2.0%), Montana (1.5%), and Wyoming (1.5%). |
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