North Carolina Drug Statistics

To the visitor, North Carolina means mountains, rivers, history and delicious food, but to the resident, the state means so much more. North Carolina is home to a resilient populace, ready to face, persevere and come out victorious during any economic storm. Since 2008, it is the fastest growing state. With all the exciting activity bustling at the surface, it is hard to imagine that North Carolinians struggle with chemical dependency in their homes and communities. As with all states, drug and alcohol abuse is a serious issue. We are glad you are seeking help to overcome your addiction.Palm Partners Recovery Center features a professional staff and extensive research. Our programs are tailored to our individual client’s needs to ensure long lasting recovery. Call Palm Partners now.

Data shows that those 26 and older particularly need – and aren’t receiving – drug detox and rehab in North Carolina. If you’re using and abusing, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 919-213-7938. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

Drug trafficking is increasing, partly due to fast population growth as well as a network of interstate highways that connect the state to other drug centers along the East Coast. The Mexican population especially is growing, and it is a permanent community, no longer a migrant one. While most of these immigrants are not involved in trafficking, their presence allows Mexican drug trafficking organizations to conceal their activities within the immigrant neighborhoods.

The Mexican organizations transport cocaine, marijuana, meth and heroin. Frequently they give parcels to mid-level Caucasian and African-American distributors and to out-of-state distributors.

Compared to other states

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

Readily available. North Carolina is a transshipment area for the northern states along the East Coast. Private as well as commercial vehicles are used. Cocaine from Mexican drug organizations supplies the crack distribution networks. Crack is easily available in larger cities and rural towns.

Marijuana

Among the most abused drugs. Vietnamese criminal groups transport marijuana from Canada, but Mexican drug organizations control the majority of the wholesale market. Pickup trucks, RVs, tractor-trailers, buses and other vehicles transport the marijuana. In the Charlotte area, preferred types are Canadian, sinsemilla and hydroponic strains over Mexican and domestic outdoor varieties. As a result, indoor hydroponic cultivation is increasing.

Methamphetamine

Increasing. Local meth production is waning due to law enforcement. But Mexican-manufactured meth, primarily ice, is easily available in large cities and increasingly in rural communities. While most of the meth comes through the Southwest, a significant amount comes from Mexican sources in Atlanta and northern Georgia. Transport is often the same as that used for cocaine.

Pharmaceuticals

A widespread problem. Ease of acquisition is a primary reason. Among the most commonly abused prescription drugs are benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium. In the larger cities, use of opiates and hydrocodone products continues to be a problem. Sources are the illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, “doctor shopping,” forged prescriptions, employee theft and the internet.

Heroin

Low but escalating. Small pockets of users and distributors are in the larger cities, including Durham, Greenville, High Point and Rocky Mount. Mexican drug organizations transport small shipments of Mexican brown and black tar, using private and commercial vehicles and parcel services. Other Hispanic as well as Asian and African-American traffickers transport South American, Southeast Asian and Southwest Asian heroin from Miami, New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia, using private vehicles and commercial bus and airline couriers.

Club drugs

Not so big a threat as cocaine, meth and marijuana. MDMA, GHB and LSD are the most popular. With more than 50 four-year colleges and universities in North Carolina, the potential market for MDMA (Ecstasy) is large. Use is escalating, and most of the MDMA comes via New York and California. Foreign sources are Canada, Southeast Asia and Europe.

Vietnamese criminal organizations control most of the MDMA wholesale distribution, which then goes to large metropolitan centers, military and coastal resort communities. LSD and PCP normally come from the Pacific northwest or West Coast. Ketamine and Psilocybin mushrooms come from local and out-of-state sources.

Alcohol

A very limited problem.

Percentage of North Carolina 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.