Outlook

The primary drug threat to Maine will remain the abuse of diverted opiate-based pharmaceuticals (primarily OxyContin and Dilaudid) and heroin. Price and availability will determine whether heroin or opiate-based pharmaceuticals will be abused most frequently. Heroin abuse may increase substantially should recent regulatory and enforcement actions prove effective in stemming the abuse of diverted pharmaceuticals. Caucasian criminal groups, local independent dealers, and abusers will likely remain the principal distributors of diverted pharmaceuticals in Maine. South American heroin will continue to be the most prevalent type of heroin available due to established supply networks in Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island.

The availability and abuse of cocaine will remain a serious threat to Maine. Although recent statistics indicate that powdered cocaine seizures and cocaine-related arrests have decreased, increased crack seizures and law enforcement reporting suggest that crack abuse is an increasingly serious problem, particularly in southern and central Maine. Caucasian criminal groups, local independent dealers and, to a lesser extent, OMGs will continue to purchase cocaine from Dominican criminal groups based in New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island and subsequently distribute retail quantities in the state.

The availability and abuse of marijuana will remain stable at high levels. OMGs, Caucasian criminal groups, and local independent dealers will continue to distribute Mexico-produced marijuana and marijuana produced in Canada to Maine. Caucasian criminal groups, local independent dealers, and abusers will continue to cultivate cannabis locally for personal use and for distribution within the state.

ODDs, such as MDMA and LSD, will continue to gain popularity among young individuals who perceive them to be less harmful than other illicit drugs. College campuses, concerts, nightclubs, and raves will remain the primary venues for the distribution and abuse of ODDs.

Methamphetamine production, distribution, and abuse are not likely to present a serious threat to Maine in the near future. The drug is rarely distributed or abused and there are no indications that this trend will change.

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