Overall availability and use of cocaine will remain stable possibly with a decrease in the use of powdered cocaine balanced by growth in crack cocaine use. Cocaine may be surpassed by heroin as the primary drug threat in the state.

Heroin abuse will continue to increase in Maine. Younger users who snort the higher purity heroin rather than inject it will fuel the increase. Increasing availability will continue to be a problem because arrested addicts-turned-dealers are replaced quickly by other addicts subsidizing their own heroin habits.

Demand for marijuana will continue to grow. Fifty-nine percent of twelfth graders in Maine have tried marijuana at least once. This first-hand knowledge of marijuana is reinforced by the trend in society to downplay the illicit and harmful nature of marijuana.

The increase in OxyContin abuse will continue. The MDEA FY1999 Annual Report clearly describes the strain on resources this problem perpetuates. Prioritizing limited resources to address the cocaine and heroin problems will continue to limit the resources available to combat the diversion of prescription drugs. The latest treatment admissions data show OxyContin and other opiate abuse--excluding heroin--is rising sharply.

Abuse of LSD will likely grow somewhat as raves continue to expand in Maine.

MDMA abuse currently is limited, but as the marketing of raves and rave clubs expands northward from Boston, there is potential for an escalating problem in Maine.

Methamphetamine abuse will continue at a low level due to a lack of demand and reduced availability.

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