Massachusetts Drug Statistics

Massachusetts boasts a rich history, deep culture and some of the finest educational and cultural institutes in the entire country. Our beautiful state has a bounty of varied greatness to offer; not only geographically, but in the collective minds of our peoples as well. Our communities are tightly wound through years of toil and family values. We all stick together when someone falls into the darkness that is drug addiction and alcoholism. We know that it takes a community to lift up one person.

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Data shows that those 18 and older particularly need – and aren’t receiving – drug detox and rehab in Massachusetts. Those 18-25 are in the same situation for alcohol detox and rehab. If you’re using and abusing, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 617-870-3351. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

Columbian and Dominican traffickers dominate the distribution of cocaine and heroin, the primary drugs of abuse in Massachusetts. With an increase in pharmacy robberies, OxyContin has become a popular heroin substitute, often used with Ecstasy.

Compared to other states

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

Marijuana

Readily available throughout the state. The majority of marijuana originates in Mexico or the Southwest, with some coming from Colombia and Jamaica. Hydroponic marijuana, mostly cultivated in Canada, also is available. Personal use quantities of hashish continue to arrive in Boston on flights from the Netherlands and other source countries.

Cocaine

Crack drug of choice. It’s transported from New York, Florida and Puerto Rico and also converted locally. Cocaine trafficking from the Mexican border, Florida and Georgia is increasing. A widespread problem, cocaine is imported via mail services, commercial transit and livery services. African-American groups and street gangs dominate distribution.

Pharmaceuticals

OxyContin preferred drug. Widely available, it comes from Arizona, Florida and Nevada. Percocet, Roxicet, methadone and Vicodin are also commonly abused. The most common sources are well organized doctor shopping rings, forged or altered prescriptions. Traffickers use express mail.

Alcohol

A significant problem.

Heroin

Widespread. High-quality heroin is available from gram to kilogram quantities throughout the state. Reports of heroin overdose deaths and incidences continue. Although New York was the primary source area, transport directly from Colombian and Dominican sources as well as from the Southwest is increasing.

Club drugs

Ecstasy (MDMA) and ketamine widely available. MDMA is found at rave parties, nightclubs and on college campuses across the state. Ketamine comes from legitimate sources such as veterinary clinics and is abused at nightclubs, particularly in the greater Boston area. GHB is available, particularly in western Massachusetts. MDMA is mostly transported via the New York-Vermont border with increased involvement of Asian drug trafficking organizations.

Methamphetamine

Limited availability. Young adults, age 18-25, mostly abuse the drug at rave parties. Small quantities are transported via mail services from California and the Southwest.

Percentage of Massachusetts 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.

AA Meetings in Massachusetts

AA meetings in Barnstable

AA meetings in Berkshire

AA meetings in Beverly

AA meetings in Boston

AA meetings in Brockton

AA meetings in Worcester

AA meetings in Springfield

AA meetings in Lowell

AA meetings in Cambridge

AA meetings in Plymouth