Delaware Drug Statistics

There is an undeniable sense of pride in every aspect of life in Delaware. As the first state of our great nation, Delaware has had stern, firm and unfaltering focus and determination since the start. Delawareans wouldn’t change their family-focused, education-oriented and big-hearted communities for anything. When one member of the community falls into the blackness of drug addiction or alcoholism, it takes a wealth of people to work together and bring them back. Palm Partners Recovery Center provides the healthy, motivational and effective atmosphere one needs to overcome their chemical dependency.

Data shows that those 18-25 particularly need – and aren’t receiving – drug and alcohol detox and rehab in Delaware. If you’re using and abusing drugs or alcohol, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 302-339-8171. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

Due to its proximity to Philadelphia, Newark and New York, Delaware is an ideal place for transshipment of drugs. The location appeals to trafficking organizations looking to move operations from major cities as well as to distributors in southeastern Pennsylvania, Maryland and within the state itself. Philadelphia’s street corner distribution networks are a main supply source of drugs. Trafficking organizations in New York also seem to be a source.

Compared to other states

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

The data below is primarily from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, although other sources are used. SAMHSA is the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The survey is based on 2006 and 2007 annual averages.

Marijuana

Readily available. Medicinal marijuana is legal. Adults are the predominant users, especially in large social gatherings such as rock concerts. Typically, marijuana is smoked with crack cocaine, heroin and PCP.

The primary source is the Southwest Border region, including Texas, Arizona, California and Mexico. The drug is transported by tractor-trailers, private vehicles, commercial aircraft, buses, trains, post office and parcel shipping companies. Smaller amounts are “home grown.”

Heroin

Large quantities available and distributed in Wilmington. Heroin trafficking organizations are relocating from inner-city neighborhoods in Pennsylvania and New York into Delaware, searching for new customers, higher profits and less law enforcement. As a result, heroin is mostly available in northern Delaware.

The increasing availability of cheaper, higher-purity heroin is a major concern. The drug is popular with young adults, who sometimes consume heroin with cocaine or alcohol, a combination that typically leads to overdose deaths.

Cocaine

Increasingly available in crack and powder forms. Both are used in the inner city neighborhoods of Wilmington and in smaller cities and towns across the state. Philadelphia and New York City are the primary source areas, but traffickers/distributors from other areas are moving into Delaware.

Pharmaceuticals

Continuing problem. Oxycodone products such as Percocet, Percodan, Tylox and Roxicet are distributed by “doctor shopping,” forged prescriptions, the internet and health care professionals and workers, especially pharmacy technicians not licensed in Delaware

Alcohol

A significant concern.

Methamphetamine

Available in limited quantities. But those who visit the Rehoboth Beach area during the summer can easily get meth. Local traffickers who produce it themselves are the major supplier. However, major trafficking organization in California and Mexico also import the drug, using a variety of methods.

Club drugs

Up in summer months. At Rehoboth Beach, the drugs are readily available at rave parties and nightclubs. New York City is the primary source for retail Ecstasy. Wholesales quantities of MDMA (a major component of Ecstasy) are also shipped and transported into the state via mail/parcel services and airplane couriers.

Delaware reported the first known legal seizures of Foxy, a synthetic chemical tryptamine.

Percentage of Delaware 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.