Other Dangerous Drugs

The availability and abuse of other dangerous drugs (ODDs), including club drugs--particularly MDMA, ketamine, LSD, and GHB (and its analogs)--and diverted pharmaceuticals, pose an increasing threat to Massachusetts. Club drugs primarily are distributed and abused by teenagers and young adults at raves, techno parties, nightclubs, and on college campuses. DAWN mortality data indicate that club drugs were a factor in six drug deaths in the Boston metropolitan area in 2001. (For the purposes of DAWN reporting, club drugs include MDMA, ketamine, GHB-GBL, and Rohypnol.) According to the Massachusetts Youth Health Survey 2002, 4.7 percent of high school students surveyed reported having abused club drugs within the 30 days prior to the survey. Diverted pharmaceuticals typically are distributed at bars and other public areas and abused by individuals of various socioeconomic classes and age groups.

Club Drugs

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy) is the most widely available and frequently abused club drug in Massachusetts. Teenagers and young adults are the primary abusers of MDMA in the state. DAWN data indicate that MDMA ED mentions in the Boston metropolitan area increased from 125 in 2000 to 140 in 2001. Preliminary estimates indicate that there were 37 MDMA ED mentions from January through June 2002.

Caucasian criminal groups are the dominant transporters of MDMA into Massachusetts; they also serve as the primary wholesale-level distributors. MDMA primarily is transported into the state from New York City, typically via private or rental vehicles. Caucasian and Asian criminal groups transport additional quantities of the drug into Massachusetts from Canada, also via private or rental vehicles. Some MDMA is transported directly into Massachusetts from Western Europe by couriers aboard commercial aircraft and via package delivery services. Caucasian teenagers and young adults are the primary retail-level distributors of MDMA in the state. The drug typically is distributed at raves and techno parties, in bars and nightclubs, and on college campuses. MDMA also is distributed aboard party barges departing from Cape Cod. Wholesale quantities of MDMA sold for $6 to $15 per tablet, and retail quantities usually sold for $20 to $40 per tablet in the first quarter of FY2003, according to the DEA Boston Division.

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Other club drugs such as LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), ketamine, GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and its analogs GBL, BD, GHV, and GVL (see text box) are available and abused in Massachusetts. DAWN ED data indicate that in the Boston metropolitan area in 2000 there were 41 LSD mentions, 23 ketamine mentions, and 26 GHB mentions. In 2001, there were 33 LSD mentions, 10 ketamine mentions, and 28 GHB mentions. Preliminary estimates indicate that there were two ketamine mentions and seven GHB mentions from January through June 2002. LSD mentions were not available. Law enforcement officials report that GHB and its analogs have been used to facilitate sexual assaults in the state.

LSD sold for $100 to $200 per 100 dosage units and $5 to $10 per dosage unit, while ketamine sold for $30 to $75 per vial and $20 to $40 per bag (0.2 grams) during the first quarter of FY2003, according to the DEA Boston Division. GHB sold for $5 per dosage unit during the first quarter of FY2003.

Caucasian local independent dealers are the primary transporters of club drugs (other than MDMA) into Massachusetts. These local independent dealers also serve as the principal wholesale and retail distributors of these drugs. LSD and ketamine typically are transported into Massachusetts from sources in California via package delivery services. Ketamine, a veterinary anesthetic, occasionally is stolen from veterinary clinics in the state. GHB and its analogs are transported into the state primarily via package delivery services and private vehicles. Caucasian local independent dealers distribute wholesale and retail quantities of these club drugs from private residences and prearranged meeting locations or at raves, techno parties, dance parties, and nightclubs.

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Diverted Pharmaceuticals

Diverted pharmaceuticals such as OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Vicodin, Xanax, methadone, and hydrocodone pose an increasing drug threat to Massachusetts. OxyContin abuse in particular is increasing, because OxyContin and heroin are being used interchangeably, according to the DEA Boston Division. DAWN mortality data indicate that in the Boston metropolitan area the number of deaths related to narcotic analgesics, which include opiates such as OxyContin and Percocet, increased significantly from 118 in 2000 to 206 in 2001. Narcotic analgesics were a factor in more drug deaths in the Boston metropolitan area in 2001 than any other drug. Diverted pharmaceuticals typically are obtained through common diversion techniques including prescription fraud, improper prescribing practices, doctor shopping (visiting multiple doctors to obtain prescriptions), and pharmacy theft--148 of the 166 pharmacy thefts that were reported in New England in 2002 occurred in Massachusetts. Diverted pharmaceuticals, primarily OxyContin, also are obtained from Mexico via the Internet and transported by package delivery services to Boston for distribution or personal abuse.

Caucasian local independent dealers and abusers are the primary retail-level distributors of diverted pharmaceuticals in Massachusetts. Diverted pharmaceuticals typically are distributed from bars and other public areas. The DEA Boston Division reports that OxyContin sold for $20 per 20-milligram tablet and $40 per 80-milligram tablet in the first quarter of FY2003. Vicodin sold for $3 per tablet. Percocet sold for $35 per 150-milligram tablet and $6 per 10-milligram tablet. 

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