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This is an NDIC product.

 

National Drug Intelligence Center.

 

Title:

Indiana Drug Threat Assessment

 

Indiana Drug Threat Assessment.Publication Date:  April 2001
Update: May 2002

Document ID: 2001-S0382IN-001

Archived on:  January 1, 2006. This document may contain dated information. It remains available to provide access to historical materials. 

This report is a strategic assessment that addresses the status and outlook of the drug threat in Indiana. Analytical judgment determined the threat posed by each drug type or category, taking into account the most current quantitative and qualitative information on availability, demand, production or cultivation, transportation, and distribution, as well as the effects of a particular drug on abusers and society as a whole. While NDIC sought to incorporate the latest available information, a time lag often exists between collection and publication of data, particularly demand-related data sets. NDIC anticipates that this drug threat assessment will be useful to policymakers, law enforcement personnel, and treatment providers at the federal, state, and local levels because it draws upon a broad range of information sources to describe and analyze the drug threat in Indiana.

Your questions, comments, and suggestions for future subjects are welcome at any time.  Addresses are provided at the end of the page.
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Contents

Executive Summary

Overview
   Fast Facts 

Cocaine 
   Abuse 
   Availability 
   Violence 
   Production
   Transportation 
   Distribution 

 Methamphetamine 
   Abuse 
   Availability 
   Violence 
   Production 
   Transportation 
   Distribution 

 Marijuana 
   Abuse 
   Availability 
   Violence 
   Production 
   Transportation 
   Distribution

Heroin 
   Abuse 
   Availability 
   Violence 
   Production 
   Transportation 
   Distribution 

Other Dangerous Drugs 
   Abuse 
   Availability 
   Violence 
   Production 
   Transportation 
   Distribution 

Outlook 

Sources

 

List of Figures 

Chart 1. Federal Sentences by Drug Type FY1998
 Chart 2. Juveniles Arrested for Drug Crimes in Indiana, 1995-1997
 Chart 3. Adults Arrested for Drug Crimes in Indiana, 1995-1997
 Chart 4. Methamphetamine Laboratory Seizures in Indiana, 1997-2000
Chart 5. Arrestees Testing Positive for Marijuana in Indianapolis, 1990 and 1998
Chart 6. Emergency Room Mentions for Selected Club Drugs in the United States, 1994-1998

Executive Summary

Indiana, particularly the Lake County area, is an ideal drug transportation and distribution center because of its proximity to Chicago and varied transportation infrastructure. Private vehicles, commercial trucks, package delivery services, air parcel delivery services or couriers, and railways are the most common means used to transport drugs through the Lake County area. Mexican drug trafficking organizations transport cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and heroin and independent criminal groups distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Organized street gangs such as the Gangster Disciples, Vice Lords, and Latin Kings as well as local, independent gangs not affiliated with Chicago control the retail distribution and sale of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Gang-related violent crime, while declining in some urban areas, is increasing in suburban and rural areas as gangs expand their drug markets.

Powdered cocaine and marijuana pose the greatest threats to Indiana. Crack cocaine is a threat, but is not as widespread as powdered cocaine and marijuana. Indiana police and sheriff's departments report increases in cocaine and marijuana-related investigations, arrests, and seizures. Statistics also indicate increases in cocaine and marijuana abuse among arrestees.

The violent criminal activity associated with methamphetamine may rival or exceed that associated with crack cocaine. Methamphetamine abusers behave unpredictably, and their actions endanger law enforcement and contribute to an increase in domestic violence. Methamphetamine is transported from the Southwest Border, California, Chicago, as well as southern Illinois to the Southern District, and most recently, the Northern District of Indiana. Methamphetamine availability is increasing in urban areas--where the traditional drug of choice has been crack cocaine--primarily because of demand for the less expensive, longer euphoric effect associated with methamphetamine.

Cannabis cultivation is an escalating problem and the number of local indoor and outdoor grow operations is increasing. Indiana law enforcement officials report that approximately 25-30 percent of the marijuana available throughout the state is grown locally.

Heroin abuse is increasing, especially in the Lake County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. Mexican drug trafficking organizations are increasing their operations within Indiana, spreading as far east as Fort Wayne and as far south as Indianapolis. Chicago and cities along the Southwest Border are the sources of the heroin supply in the Lake County area.

MDMA and GHB use is a growing concern for authorities. MDMA availability and abuse increased in 2000 and into the early months of 2001, and GHB use was a factor in several rapes and poisonings in Indiana. The increasing popularity of these and other dangerous drugs, especially among young adults and teens attending raves, is expected to cause significant problems in the state, especially in college towns.

 

Addresses

National Drug Intelligence Center
319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901

Tel. (814) 532-4601
FAX (814) 532-4690
E-mail NDIC.Contacts@usdoj.gov

National Drug Intelligence Center
8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001
McLean, VA 22102-3840

Tel. (703) 556-8970
FAX (703) 556-7807

 

Web Addresses

ADNET:  http://ndicosa 
      DOJ:  http://www.usdoj.gov/archive/ndic/
      LEO:  home.leo.gov/lesig/archive/ndic/ 

   

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