NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIOLOGIC ...

DAWN ME mentions for marijuana-involved deaths in
the New York City metropolitan area numbered 55 in
2002, which was the second highest among CEWG areas.
This number represents an increase of 189 percent
since 1999.
Adult male arrestees in the ADAM samples for 2003
were much more likely to test positive for marijuana
than for any of the other drugs, including cocaine—a
change from previous years. Approximately 43.1 percent
of male arrestees tested positive for marijuana. Female
arrestees were more likely to test positive for marijuana
than for opiates, with 36.7 percent of females testing
positive for marijuana.
According to National Forensic Laboratory Information
System data, 20 percent of the cases for New York City
in 2003 (13,266) were related to cannabis.
According to the DEA, marijuana prices can range from
$1,000 to $2,000 per pound wholesale and from $3,000
to $5,000 per pound for hydroponic marijuana.
In spite of decriminalizing possession of small amounts
of marijuana, the NYPD continues to make a large number
of marijuana-related arrests in New York City. The
number of arrests has stabilized, however (exhibit 5).
Cannabis-involved arrests had reached a low of 4,762 in
1991, but they increased more than 12 times in the next 9
years to 60,455 in 2000. Arrests for 2002 (47,250) were
at the same level as in 2001, which was the second largest
yearly total. For arrests in 2002, approximately 98
percent were for misdemeanors, and 32 percent involved
persons age 20 or younger. Moreover, cannabis arrests
accounted for 48 percent of all drug arrests in New York
City in 2002, a dramatic change from earlier years and a
continuation of the trend seen in the last 5 years.
Stimulants
Although methamphetamine is popular in other parts of
the Nation, there were relatively few arrests, ED mentions,
deaths, ADAM arrestee positives, or treatment
admissions related to the drug in New York City. For
example, in 2000, only three methamphetamine deaths
were reported in the five boroughs of New York City.
No adult arrestees in the 2003 ADAM sample tested
positive for the drug. According to a November 2003
report by the Drug Enforcement Administration, New
York Field Division, “While methamphetamine trafficking
and abuse are at relatively low levels in New York
State and City when compared to cocaine and heroin,
there are indications of increasing availability and use.”
For example, while the total number of methamphetamine
ED mentions in 2002 was small (63), it reflected a
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EPIDEMIOLOGIC TRENDS IN DRUG ABUSE—New York City
174-percent increase from 1995 (23 mentions). Similarly,
although methamphetamine treatment admissions
have typically represented less than 0.2 percent of all
admissions to treatment in New York State, they increased
from 336 statewide in 1995 to 807 in 2003.
Moreover, the New York State Police reported an increase
in clandestine lab incidents in the State, from 2
in 1999 to 73 in 2003. Interestingly, an analysis of lab
seizures and treatment admissions shows that there
appears to be a strong relationship between methamphetamine
treatment admissions and counties where the
State Police have shut down methamphetamine labs.
According to the SSU, numerous sources in the gay
community are concerned that the use of this drug is
spreading among young gay males who frequent clubs
and that the drug facilitates the spread of HIV. A number
of gay male users have reported experiencing
crystal methamphetamine binges during which they
have engaged in unsafe sexual activity. There are also
indications that the use of methamphetamine has spread
and is increasing among the “non gay” club-going
crowd and college students. Methamphetamine is also
known as Crystal, Tina, Christina, Crank, Ice, speed,
and chalk.
Depressants
While some indicators of the nonmedical use of psychoactive
prescription drugs (e.g., hospital
emergencies, deaths, and treatment admissions) have
not been increasing, the SSU continues to report a variety
of drugs readily available on the street for $1 or
more per pill.
Alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) ED
mentions have been increasing since the mid-1990s,
while diazepam (Valium) mentions have been declining.
Alprazolam mentions increased 92 percent, from
333 in 1995 to 638 in 2002. Clonazepam mentions increased
182 percent, from 117 in 1995 to 330 in 2002.
Moreover, clonazepam mentions increased 48 percent
from 2000 to 2002 (from 223 to 330). Conversely, diazepam
mentions decreased 58 percent, from 450 in
1995 to 189 in 2002. Diazepam mentions also exhibited
recent declines, falling 43 percent between 2000 and
2002 and 32 percent between 2001 and 2002. Lorazepam
mentions remained stable, with 143 mentions in
2002. In addition to these specific benzodiazepines,
mentions of benzodiazepines not otherwise specified
(NOS) increased 620 percent from 73 in 1995 to 526 in
2002. There continue to be few (about 1 percent) treatment
admissions with a psychoactive prescription drug
as a primary drug of abuse.
Proceedings of the Community Epidemiology Work Group, Vol. II, January 2005