Washington Drug Statistics

Washington State has rugged, beautiful terrain, innovative and influential businesses and constituents with a work hard, play hard attitude. Washingtonians are known for their high levels of activity, their bustling economy and their love of sports. We are proud of the quality of life this state provides because we have worked together to ensure it lasts and grows. The sense of community in Washington is translated into effective drug addiction treatment. Wholesome, encouraging and personalized recovery programs are the exact model used by Palm Partners Detox and Rehab. If you or someone you love needs help in overcoming their chemical dependency, do not hesitate to call us. The professional team at Palm Partners is standing by and ready to help.

Data shows that those 18-25 particularly need – and aren’t receiving – drug detox and rehab in Washington. If you’re using and abusing, call Palm Partners Addiction Detox and Rehab now for immediate help: 360-362-0538. Get into the right facility and transform your life. Our professionals are standing by, 24/7.

What you should know

Because it shares a border with Canada, Washington is a prime transshipment point for the drug trade. Large-scale trafficking organizations operate out of the greater Yakima Valley, distributing drugs throughout the U.S.

Compared to other states

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

Methamphetamine

Most widely abused drug. Ice dominates the market, is preferred and is easily available throughout the state. Mexican organizations import and distribute the meth, which is mostly produced in Mexico. Labs in Washington have decreased due to legislation hindering the accessibility to precursor chemicals.

Pharmaceuticals

Methadone on the rise. Abuse also occurs with oxycodone and hydrocodone products. Pharmacy burglaries occur routinely throughout the state. Other sources are illegal internet sales.

Marijuana

Readily available in multi-pound quantities. Medicinal marijuana is legal. Three types of marijuana are prevalent in Washington: locally grown, Canadian BC Bud and Mexican. BC Bud is especially available in the larger cities, which also serve as major transshipment points for distribution throughout the country. Mexican nationals are increasingly cultivating marijuana on private land as well as on state and federal forest lands and parks.

Cocaine

Easily accessible, including crack. Mexican drug organizations with ties to large-scale traffickers in California and Mexico control wholesale amounts of cocaine. It is consumed in state and also smuggled into Canada for redistribution. Crack is used mostly in low-income, urban areas.

Heroin

Black tar the most common type. Mexican drug organizations, which also traffic meth and cocaine, transport the drug from cities in southern California directly to western and eastern Washington.

Club drugs

MDMA (Ecstasy) increasing. Ecstasy is smuggled mostly from Canada, and Washington is a transshipment point for loads to Seattle and other U.S. locations. Manufacture in Canada has escalated, but lab activity is seen in state. Found on a much smaller scale are GHB, LSD and Foxy.

Alcohol

Not a significant problem.

AA Meetings in Washington

AA Meetings in Seattle

AA Meetings in Tacoma

AA Meetings in Spokane

Percentage of Washington 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.