Outlook

South American heroin will remain the primary drug threat to Massachusetts. Treatment and mortality data indicate that heroin abuse is a serious problem, and there are no indications that abuse levels will decrease in the near future. Because of their established connections to sources of supply in New York City, Dominican and Colombian criminal groups will remain the primary transporters and wholesale-level distributors of heroin. Dominican and Puerto Rican criminal groups will remain the primary retail-level distributors of heroin in Massachusetts.

Cocaine will continue to pose a significant threat to Massachusetts. The drug is readily available, frequently abused, and its distribution and abuse are more frequently associated with violent crime than any other illicit drug in the state. Dominican and Colombian criminal groups will continue to dominate the transportation and wholesale-level distribution of cocaine. Dominican criminal groups will remain the primary retail distributors of powdered cocaine in Massachusetts, while African American criminal groups and crews will remain the primary retail distributors of crack in the state.

Marijuana will remain readily available and widely abused in Massachusetts. Marijuana produced in Mexico will remain the most prevalent type available. Canada-produced marijuana and locally produced marijuana also will remain available.

MDMA will continue to be the most widely distributed and abused club drug in Massachusetts. Diverted pharmaceuticals, particularly OxyContin, are increasingly available and abused, thus presenting a growing threat to the state. Caucasian criminal groups will remain the principal transporters and wholesale level distributors of MDMA; Caucasian teenagers and young adults will continue to distribute the drug at the retail level. Caucasian local independent dealers will remain the primary transporters and wholesale- and retail-level distributors of other club drugs and diverted pharmaceuticals.

Methamphetamine will continue to pose a low drug threat to Massachusetts. Production, distribution, and abuse of the drug have remained low for several years, and there are no indications that this will change.

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