Heroin in Key Cities

Baltimore

Heroin poses the greatest drug threat to Baltimore. Most drug-related treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities in the city from July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002, were for heroin abuse. Baltimore had the third highest rate per 100,000 population of heroin-related ED mentions (after Newark and Chicago) among the 21 metropolitan areas reporting to DAWN in 2001. That rate (195) was significantly higher than the rate nationwide (37). Mortality data indicate that there were 349 heroin/morphine-related deaths in the Baltimore metropolitan area in 2001, more than for any other illicit drug. Heroin abuse via injection has contributed significantly to the number of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) cases in Baltimore.

Dominican criminal groups are the dominant South American heroin transporters. Various local African American gangs--such as Jugboys and Old York Boys--and criminal groups, local independent dealers, and Dominican criminal groups from outside the area distribute heroin at the wholesale and retail levels in Baltimore.

Boston

Heroin poses the greatest drug threat to Boston. During state fiscal year (SFY) 2002, 10,519 individuals were admitted to publicly funded treatment facilities in Boston for heroin abuse, according to the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. DAWN data indicate that the number of heroin-related ED mentions in Boston increased 13 percent from 3,867 in 2000 to 4,358 in 2001. The rate of heroin ED mentions per 100,000 population in Boston in 2001 (122) was significantly higher than the rate nationwide (37). DAWN mortality data indicate that there were 195 heroin/morphine-related deaths in the Boston metropolitan area in 2001, more than for any other illicit drug.

Colombian and Dominican criminal groups are the primary transporters and wholesale-level distributors of South American heroin in Boston. African American, Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic criminal groups, street gangs, and local independent dealers control most retail-level heroin distribution in Boston. 

New York

Heroin poses one of the most significant drug threats to New York City. The total number of primary heroin admissions to state funded and nonfunded treatment programs in New York City increased from 20,879 in 1999 to 21,616 in 2000. These numbers were higher than for any other illicit drug during each of these years, according to New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) data. There were 10,988 heroin admissions in the first half of 2001 (the most recent data available). DAWN data indicate that there were 10,644 heroin-related ED mentions in New York City in 2001. The rate per 100,000 population in New York City (127) was significantly higher than the rate per 100,000 population nationwide (37) that year. DAWN mortality data indicate that there were 194 heroin/morphine-related deaths in the New York metropolitan area in 2000, the most recent data available for the city.

Colombian DTOs and criminal groups control the transportation of South American heroin into New York City; however, they increasingly rely on Dominican DTOs and criminal groups and occasionally Mexican criminal groups to transport South American heroin into the city. Colombian DTOs and criminal groups also are the primary wholesale-level distributors of heroin in New York City; however, Dominican DTOs and criminal groups sell wholesale quantities as well. Dominican criminal groups are the dominant retail-level distributors of heroin.

 To Top      To Contents

Philadelphia

Heroin poses the second greatest drug threat, after cocaine, to Philadelphia. During FY2001, 2,370 individuals residing in Philadelphia County were admitted to publicly funded treatment facilities for heroin abuse, according to the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The number of heroin-related ED mentions in the Philadelphia metropolitan area increased 15 percent from 4,661 in 2000 to 5,362 in 2001, according to DAWN data. The rate of heroin ED mentions per 100,000 population in Philadelphia in 2001 (119) was significantly higher than the rate nationwide (37). DAWN mortality data indicate that there were 391 heroin/morphine-related deaths in the Philadelphia metropolitan area in 2001.

Colombian and Dominican DTOs and criminal groups as well as Puerto Rican criminal groups are dominant transporters of South American heroin to Philadelphia. Colombian and Dominican DTOs and criminal groups dominate the distribution of South American heroin at the wholesale level in the city, while local Hispanic and African American dealers control the retail-level distribution of heroin.

Pittsburgh

Heroin poses the most significant drug threat to Pittsburgh. During SFY2002, 675 individuals residing in Allegheny County were admitted to publicly funded treatment facilities for heroin abuse, according to the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs of the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Allegheny County Coroner data indicate that heroin alone was involved in approximately 50 of the 180 drug overdose deaths (28%), and heroin in combination with other drugs was involved in 81 of the 180 drug overdose deaths (45%) in 2001.

Loosely organized Hispanic (primarily Dominican) and African American criminal groups, as well as local street gangs, are the primary transporters and wholesale-level distributors of South American heroin in Pittsburgh. African American criminal groups and local street gangs are the primary retail-level distributors of South American heroin.

Washington, D.C.

Heroin poses the second greatest threat (after cocaine) to Washington, D.C. In 2001 there were 2,181 heroin-related admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities in D.C., according to TEDS data. DAWN ED data indicate that heroin-related ED mentions in Washington, D.C., decreased nearly 3 percent from 1,946 in 2000 to 1,888 in 2001. Nonetheless, the rate of heroin ED mentions per 100,000 population in Washington in 2001 (45) was higher than the rate nationwide (37). DAWN mortality data indicate that there were 64 heroin/morphine-related deaths in the District of Columbia in 2001.

Colombian and Dominican DTOs and criminal groups are the primary transporters and wholesale-level distributors of South American heroin in the District. Local, neighborhood-based crews, typically African American or Hispanic gangs, are the primary retail-level distributors of heroin.

To Top      To Contents     To Previous Page     To Next Page

To Publications Page     To Home Page