1 - National Criminal Justice Reference Service

Typically, metharnphetanrine ER mentions number fewer than 10 per year in Boston. Anecdotal
reports and local law enforcement agencies indicate that methamphetamine is available ill Miami
and throughout Florida, with clande5tine labs actively producing synthetic stimulants.
In Atlanta, methamphetamine costs $1,200 per ounce and $60-$120 per gram. "Ice"-dmethamphetamine
hydrochloride which is smoked-is scarce in Atlanta and has still not surfaced
in Boston. Reports of ice have discontinued in Florida.
In Atlanta, amphetamines were detected in about 10 percent of the urine samples tested at the
Grady Memorial Hospital (GMH) emergency clinics from mid-1989 through 1990. That figure
has decreased to 7 percent in the first half of 1991.
2. Central Region
Methamphetamine ER. mentions remain low across the region. In Missouri, methamphetamine
appears only in rural areas in both ER mentions and admissions, and the ME reported one
methamphetamine-related death in 1991.
In Texas, amphetamines are the number-four illicit drug problem for treatment clients,
accounting for 8 percent of nonalcohol admissions during FY 1991. In New Orleans,
amphetamine admissions increased from 0 percent in 1990 to 4 percent in 1991.
In Chicago, crystal methamphetamine is the most prevalent type of stimulant and is a long
standing favorite among bikers. The preferred route of administration is injection.
In Texas, the price for amphetamines has increased slightly, to about $1,100 an ounce.
Methamphetamine prices range from $800 to $1,400 per ounce. In New Orleans, decreased
availability of MDMA (ecstasy) resulted in higher prices in 1991: $20-$25 per dose.
In Chicago, pseudopharmaceuticals (containing ca.ffein~, ephedrine, and! or phenylpropanolamine j
follow only alcohol and marijuana in drugs of choice among white youth. These drugs sell for
$1-$2 per pill. The most intensive stimulant abusers are those who prefer the injection route.
White roUs on Chicago's NOrth Side prefer phenmetrazine hydrochloride (Preludin), while
African-Americans mus on the South Side prefer methylphenidate (Ritalin), or ·west coast."
Preludin sells for $15 per pill, and methylphenidate sells for $4-$5 per pill.
Methylphenidate (Ritalin) .remains the number-one Schedule IT prescription drug in Michigan.
In Michigan, three labs in the Upper Peninmda were seized. The labs were manufacturing "cat,"
an ephedrine-based drug c:alled N-methylcathinone Hel by the DBA. The seizure represented
the first encounter with this drug by Michi;Jan authorities.
CEWO December 1991 37
62
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I