Connecticut Drug Statistics

Connecticuters are proud of the fact that every meal is served on a full plate, neighbors are friendly and that New England culture is alive and well within our communities. We make sure our children, families and friends are well-fed, healthy and happy. So when drug addiction and alcoholism affects you or the life of someone you love, you have to be sure they get the best treatment possible. That’s where Palm Partners Recovery Center comes in. The dedicated staff develops personalized treatment programs for every individual client to ensure effective and long lasting recovery.

Discover how beautiful and wholly gratifying it is to overcome chemical dependency. Contact Palm Partners right now. Connecticut may be the Land of Steady Habits, but that doesn’t mean certain habits can’t change.

Data shows that those 18 and older particularly need – and aren’t receiving – alcohol detox and rehab in Connecticut. Those 18-25 are in the same situation for drug detox and rehab.If you’re using and abusing drugs or alcohol, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 860-577-0971. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

Located close to New York City, Connecticut is an important transit and destination area for drugs. In fact, law enforcement considers Interstate highways 95 and 91 part of the New England Pipeline.

Powder cocaine and crack cocaine pose the greatest drug threat in Connecticut. Crack cocaine is a significant problem in the urban areas.

Compared to other states

• Illicit drugs overall – moderately high for those 18-25, average for those 26 and older
• Marijuana – among the highest for those 18-25, moderately high for those 26 and older
• Cocaine – moderately high for those 18-25, average for those 26 and older
• Alcohol – among the highest for those 18 and older
• Pharmaceuticals – moderately low for those 18-25, low for those 26 and older

Source: SAMHSA’s most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, based on 2008-2009 annual averages. SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A closer look

Cocaine

Widely abused. Crack is preferred, but the powder form is increasingly sold through wholesale dealers. Puerto Rican and African Americans control street-level distribution. They, in concert with Mexican distribution organizations, smuggle the drug through New York City in cars.

Heroin

In high demand. Heroin is particularly popular in the southwest and south central districts of the state. Hispanic criminal groups control the transportation and mid-level supply.

Marijuana

Readily available, including wholesale, in all areas. High-grade marijuana comes from Canada, out-of-state indoor grow operations, Mexico and southwestern U.S. Indoor hydroponic sites throughout the state have increased in recent years.

Alcohol

A significant threat.

Pharmaceuticals

Highly abused. Use of OxyContin, Vicodin and Percocet is increasing rapidly. Ritalin, Xanax and Diazepam are also in high use. Prescription fraud, improper prescribing practices, “doctor shopping” and pharmacy theft are all methods used to obtain the pharmaceuticals.

Club drugs

Slip in popularity for Ecstasy. MDMA, the main ingredient in Ecstasy, is transported from Florida and Mexico via mail services or purchased in New York or Canada and then transported. Couriers typically transport PCP from southwestern U.S. and New York City. Loose PCP-laced marijuana, often packaged in a plastic bag, is called “wet,” and PCP-laced blunts are called “illy.”

Methamphetamine

Rarely distributed or abused.

Percentage of Connecticut population using/abusing drugs

¹ Age group is based on a respondent’s age at the time of the interview, not his or her age at first use.

² Illicit Drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically. Illicit Drugs Other Than Marijuana include cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used non-medically.

³ When the Perception of Great Risk in using marijuana or alcohol is low, use of marijuana or alcohol is high.

⁴ Binge Alcohol Use is defined as drinking five or more drinks on the same occasion (i.e., at the same time or within a couple of hours of each other) on at least 1 day in the past 30 days.

⁵ Dependence or abuse is based on definitions found in the 4^th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

⁶ Needing But Not Receiving Treatment refers to respondents needing treatment for illicit drugs or alcohol, but not receiving treatment at a specialty facility.

⁷ Major Depressive Episode is a period of at least 2 weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities and had a majority of the symptoms for depression as described in the DSM-IV.

Source: Condensed version of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004 and 2005, from SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies.