Illinois Drug Statistics

The fantastic state of Illinois is known for its incredible architecture and art. Chicago, its most populated city, features the Sears Tower, Grant Park and several other phenomenal man-made structures, as well as the world-renowned Art Institute of Chicago. Illinois is inspiring and profound, yet thousands of constituents suffer from chemical dependency. Alcoholism and addiction are serious issues in many communities of this state. Palm Partners Detox and Rehab can help you control your addiction.

Data shows that those 18 and older particularly need – and aren’t receiving – drug detox and rehab in Illinois. Those 26 and older are in the same situation for alcohol detox and rehab.If you’re using and abusing drugs or alcohol, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 312-985-0872. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

Because of its geographic location and multi-faceted transportation infrastructure, Chicago is a major transportation hub and distribution center for illegal drugs throughout the Midwest. Three major groups traffic drugs: Mexico-based, poly-drug organizations, Colombian cocaine and heroin trafficking organizations, and Nigerian/West African groups trafficking in Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin. On the street, gangs control the distribution and retail sale of cocaine, heroin and marijuana.

The violent crime associated with gang-related drug trafficking is cited as the state’s most serious criminal threat. While this crime is declining in some major urban areas, it is increasing in suburban and rural areas as gangs expand their markets.

Compared to other states

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

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

Marijuana

Most widely available and abused. Mexico-based, poly-drug trafficking organizations bring bulk shipments hidden with legitimate goods in tractor-trailers into Chicago from the Southwest Border. The same wholesalers supply most of the cocaine, meth and heroin in Chicago. Local indoor and outdoor production is increasing.

Heroin

The second greatest drug threat. Larger numbers of new suburban users are also contributing to the drug’s resurgent popularity. These newer users travel from the suburbs to Chicago’s West Side to purchase the drug.

A steady supply of heroin comes into Chicago from all four source areas – South America, Southeast Asia, Southwest Asia, and, to a lesser extent, Mexico. On the street, heroin is distributed at open-air drug markets in areas that street gangs control.

Methamphetamine

Particularly heavy in some areas. In central and southern rural areas, meth is a principle drug of concern. Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations produce large quantities of meth and transport it into Chicago from California and Mexico. Outlaw motorcycle gangs and Hispanic street gangs control the retail distribution. In many areas, small-scale, local meth labs have proliferated.

Cocaine

Chicago is distribution hub. Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations transport metric-ton quantities of cocaine from Mexico to Illinois, mostly into Chicago. The city then supplies the Midwest and as far east as New York City.

Club drugs

Chicago is distribution hub. Because it is an international transportation and trade center, the city is a distribution hub for organizations trafficking MDMA (Ecstasy), GHB, ketamine and PCP.  Additionally, Chicago is a secondary source area for club drugs distributed throughout the Midwest.

Alcohol

A moderate problem.

Pharmaceuticals

Internet sales dramatically increasing. Additional sources are the illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers and “doctor shopping.” The most commonly abused drugs are those containing hydrocodone, oxycodone, alprazolam and phentermine. With increased media attention about OxyContin abuse, a shift to increased use of methadone has occurred. Other drugs on the rise are Diazepam, pseudoephedrine and Ritalin.

Percentage of Illinois 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.