Colorado Drug Statistics

All who live in the beautiful state of Colorado are proud of our health, our dedication, our stable (and growing) economy and our excellent education. We are known for our active lifestyles, creativity and everyone can see our promising future. Coloradoan communities are often faced with the challenges of drug addiction, alcoholism and other forms of chemical dependency. When a support system of family and friends doesn’t seem to do enough, there is hope. Hope is what Palm Partners Recovery Center specializes in.

Data shows that those 18 and older particularly need – and aren’t receiving – alcohol detox and rehab in Colorado. 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: 720-515-5915. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

Colorado has a significant problem with drug abuse. Just two recent indications: The number of DUI arrests hit a new high over the 2007 New Year’s holiday; 80% of prison inmates have substance-abuse problems.

Mexican poly-drug trafficking organizations control most of the meth, cocaine, marijuana and heroin distribution in Colorado. Asian groups, some with ties to Canada, are increasingly distributing club drugs and marijuana. Dealers with ties to larger criminal organizations in Texas, California and Mexico are involved in all types of drug distribution throughout the state.

Compared to other states

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

Marijuana

Most widely abused drug. The largest supply of marijuana is from Mexico, brought in by drug trafficking organizations. BC Bud, a significantly more expensive and very potent variety, is smuggled in from British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest.

In Colorado, prescriptions are legitimately written to alleviate chronic injury pain or illness.

Alcohol

Significant threat.

Heroin

On the rise. Mexican black tar heroin is mostly what’s used and is primarily available in major metropolitan areas. Mexican brown heroin also is used, but much less.

Methamphetamine

Mexican supply increasing. Most of the meth is produced and distributed from Mexico, where potency levels of the drug have risen to the levels found in local meth labs. Although local meth labs still exist, they have diminished, possibly due to increased supply from Mexico.

Cocaine

A steady flow. Mexican trafficking organizations bring in large amounts of cocaine. Street-level amounts of crack are also common in the larger metropolitan areas of Colorado.

Club drugs

Four drugs commonly used. Independent traffickers with foreign and domestic suppliers are distributing MDMA, the main ingredient in Ecstasy. LSD, GHB and ketamine are also commonly found in the nightclub scene.

Pharmaceuticals

OxyContin a significant threat. Hydrocodone products such as Vicodin, oxycodone products such as OxyContin, benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Valium, methadone, MS Contin, Darvon and Darvocet are commonly abused. The drugs are obtained through forged prescriptions and prescriptions from more than one doctor (“doctor shopping”), pharmacy break-ins, the internet and pain management clinics that prescribe narcotics to addicts in all of the major cities.

Percentage of Colorado 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.