Ohio Drug Statistics

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Data shows that those 18-25 and older particularly need – and aren’t receiving – drug detox and rehab in Ohio. If you’re using and abusing, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 614-317-4335. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

Cocaine, heroin and marijuana are the predominant drug threats. The most violent crimes in Ohio are the result of cocaine and crack distribution and abuse.

Compared to other states

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

Pharmaceuticals

OxyContin a significant threat. Use traditionally has been in the Caucasian population, but now is also in the African-American population. Abuse of benzodiazepines and oxycodone and hydrocodone products is escalating. Sources are the illegal sales and distribution by health care professionals and workers, “doctor shopping” and robberies.

Marijuana

Most prevalent drug of abuse. Rural areas of southern Ohio especially provide a good environment for outdoor cultivation. Use of hydroponics in indoor grow operations is increasing. Mexican marijuana from the Southwest Border is mainly distributed by Mexican and inner-city criminal groups.

Cocaine

Powdered cocaine and crack cocaine a significant threat. Mexican criminal groups and, to a lesser degree, other ethnic criminal groups bring cocaine from the Southwest Border to Ohio cities as well as to Detroit and Chicago. From those places, cocaine is distributed throughout Ohio.

Heroin

Distribution and abuse increasing. The rising availability of high-purity, low-cost heroin is creating a large user population who have a greater physical risk. In southern Ohio, Mexican black tar is predominant. In northern Ohio, South American as well as Mexican black tar are predominant. Mexican brown heroin is a problem in both regions.

Dominican criminal groups control the distribution of South American heroin, while Mexican criminal groups control distribution of black tar and brown heroin. Heroin is transported from the Southwest Border to Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo as well as to Detroit and Chicago. From those places, the drug is distributed throughout Ohio.

Methamphetamine

Increasing. Primary suppliers are Mexican drug trafficking organizations. To a lesser extent, in-state labs produce small quantities for personal use and local distribution. Although meth manufacturing and use are increasing, abuse has not reached the levels of other states in the Midwest.

Club drugs

Growing in popularity in urban areas. The use of club drugs such as Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, ketamine and LSD has steadily increased in Ohio. Labs in the Netherlands and Belgium transport the drugs to Ohio through distribution centers in Miami, New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Most MDMA traffickers are independent entrepreneurs. Retail dealers of MDMA are typically high school or college students.

Alcohol

A moderate problem.

Percentage of Ohio 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.