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National Drug Intelligence Center |
Figure 9. Federally recognized Native American reservations within the Florida/Caribbean OCDETF Region.
Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs; U.S. Census Bureau.
| Florida/Caribbean OCDETF Region Indian Country Fast Facts | |
|---|---|
| States | Florida (Exclusions: Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands) |
| Number of Reservations | 10 |
| Population on Reservations | 2,939 |
| Area (Square Miles) | 269.59 |
| Per Capita Income | $15,675 |
| Poverty Level | 16.0% |
| Unemployment | 9.0% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Cocaine and marijuana are the most widely available and frequently abused illicit drugs on reservations in the Florida/Caribbean Region. African American criminal groups from urban areas near reservations supply most of the marijuana and cocaine available in the region's Native American communities. These criminal groups also regularly convert powder cocaine to crack for distribution on reservations.
African American criminal groups dominate the distribution of cocaine and marijuana on reservations in this region. Law enforcement officials in the Florida/Caribbean Region report that African American criminal groups dominate drug distribution on reservations. They typically transport powder cocaine and marijuana onto the reservations for distribution and convert powder cocaine to crack on reservation lands. Native American traffickers also transport and distribute cocaine and marijuana on reservations in the region, although to a lesser extent.
Unlike reservations in other regions of the country, the presence of street gangs on reservations in the region is limited. Law enforcement officials report that street gangs were present on reservations in the region in past years but that street gang activity at this time is minimal. Occasionally graffiti is observed on the reservation, or suspected gang members are observed frequenting casinos; however, such occurrences are attributed to gang members from larger urban areas traveling through the reservation.
Traffickers generally obtain illicit drugs from urban areas near reservations and transport them onto and through reservations in private vehicles. African American criminal groups and Native American traffickers transport most illicit drugs available on reservations from urban drug markets in the Florida/Caribbean Region, typically in private vehicles. Most members of African American criminal groups leave reservations after concluding their distribution operations; however, law enforcement reporting indicates that some cohabitate or marry tribal members in order to remain on the reservation and conduct their illicit activities.
Tourist attractions and popular local settings often serve as retail-level drug distribution sites. African American and Native American traffickers often distribute illicit drugs at casinos and nightclubs and in parking lots on reservations in the region. Most sales result from personal contact between drug distributors and abusers.
Marijuana and cocaine are the most widely available and abused illicit drugs on reservations in the region. Marijuana and cocaine are the most abused illicit drugs on reservations in the Florida/Caribbean OCDETF Region. TEDS data indicate that cocaine abuse reported at the time of treatment admission by American Indians increased steadily from 2002 (25.3%) to 2006 (48.1%), the latest year for which such data are available. (See Table 12.) The overall number of treatment admissions for heroin, diverted Florida/Caribbean OCDETF Region pharmaceuticals, and methamphetamine is significantly lower than the number of admissions for cocaine and marijuana. However, pharmaceutical-related treatment admissions increased significantly between 2003 and 2005 and then declined substantially in 2006, to earlier levels. Additionally, law enforcement reporting suggests that methamphetamine is generally available on reservations in the region; however, TEDS data reveal a substantial decline in methamphetamine-related treatment admissions in 2006, after several years of increases.
Table 12. Primary Illicit Drug Mentions by American Indians Seeking Treatment for Abuse in the Florida/Caribbean Region, 2002-2006
| Drug | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocaine | 25.3% | 25.8% | 32.9% | 42.0% | 48.1% |
| Heroin | 3.8% | 2.8% | 0.9% | 3.0% | 3.2% |
| Marijuana | 40.1% | 40.4% | 58.0% | 44.4% | 47.1% |
| Methamphetamine | 2.9% | 3.3% | 5.0% | 5.9% | 1.6% |
| Pharmaceuticals | 11.5% | 10.8% | 15.9% | 27.8% | 15.9% |
Source: Treatment Episode Data Set 2006.
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