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National Drug Intelligence Center |
The trafficking and abuse of ice methamphetamine will not diminish in the near term and will remain the most significant drug threat to the Rocky Mountain HIDTA region. Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse will continue to strain local law enforcement, public health, and social services programs throughout the region; however, the threat to rural communities will be more problematic, since these areas have limited law enforcement and social services resources to counteract the threat.
Methamphetamine production appears to be increasing in some areas of the Rocky Mountain HIDTA region. Local methamphetamine production, which had declined significantly over the past few years with the introduction of precursor chemical control restrictions, has increased moderately in southern Colorado, where there has been a shortage of Mexican methamphetamine. Methamphetamine shortages appear to be confined to southern Colorado; however, other areas of the HIDTA region could be susceptible to methamphetamine shortages and small increases in local methamphetamine production in the near term.
The demand for high-potency marijuana in the region is increasing, and there are no indications that this will change in the short term. Asian DTOs and criminal groups will establish larger indoor cannabis cultivation operations to capitalize on greater profit margins associated with high-potency marijuana. Additionally, criminal groups and local independent dealers will continue to support local market demands by supplying high-potency marijuana produced in Canada and the West Coast of the United States.
The availability and abuse of CPDs will most likely increase in the region as a result of the growing popularity of these drugs, primarily OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan, Valium, and Lortab. Young adults and teenagers can obtain CPDs with relative ease, primarily from family and friends and by doctor-shopping. Once addicted to controlled prescription opioids, some adolescents and young adults will most likely progress to the abuse of heroin, which is often more readily available.
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