State
Facts
Population: 4,041,769
Law
Enforcement Officers: 7,996
State Prison Population:
15,964
Probation Population: 18,988
Violent Crime Rate
National Ranking:
36 |
2001
Federal Drug Seizures
Cocaine: 63.9 kgs.
Heroin: 10.8 kgs.
Methamphetamine:
5.0 kgs.
Marijuana: 436.1 kgs.
Clandestine
Laboratories: 160 (DEA, state, and
local) |
Top 3 cities in KentuckyBowling Green
Owensboro
Louisville
The production, distribution, and
abuse of illicit drugs pose a serious threat to Kentucky drug rehab center
concerns. Most illicit drugs are readily available in the state, and the number
of drug-related arrests, seizures, and treatment admissions has increased
dramatically. The level of methamphetamine production, distribution, abuse, and
violence has increased substantially, particularly in the rural areas of the
state. Cocaine poses a significant threat to most metropolitan areas of the
state because it is abused at high levels, is increasingly available, and its
distribution and abuse are frequently associated with violent crime. Marijuana
also poses a considerable threat to Kentucky drug rehab center concerns and
surrounding states because it is the most prevalent illicit drug, it accounts
for more drug-related treatment admissions than any other drug, and a
significant amount of the nation’s marijuana is produced in the state.
Diverted pharmaceuticals, club drugs such as MDMA and GHB, and hallucinogens
are increasingly available and abused. The distribution and abuse of heroin
pose a low threat to the state.
  Methamphetamine:
Methamphetamine is the most
rapidly emerging threat to Kentucky drug rehab center concerns, particularly in
the rural areas of the state. The level of methamphetamine production,
distribution, abuse, and violence has increased dramatically and is spreading
across the state from west to east. The number of drug rehab center admissions
for methamphetamine abuse in Kentucky increased 42 percent from fiscal year
1998 through fiscal year 2000, more than for any other drug. Mexican criminal
groups are the primary transporters and wholesale distributors of
Mexico-produced methamphetamine and methamphetamine produced in California and
southwestern states. The recent increase of locally produced methamphetamine
may have eclipsed the amount of Mexico-produced methamphetamine transported
into the state. The number of methamphetamine laboratories seized increased
dramatically from 1998 through 2001, exceeding the capacity of local law
enforcement agencies to adequately conduct investigations and clean up the
hazardous chemicals associated with methamphetamine production. The Birch
reduction method, also known as the Nazi method, is the most common
methamphetamine production method used which is a Kentucky drug rehab center
concern. Local independent Caucasian dealers and criminal groups dominate the
retail distribution of methamphetamine in the state. Methamphetamine sales
usually are prearranged and occur in bars, restaurants, private vehicles, and
residences.
 Cocaine:
Cocaine, both
powdered and crack, is increasingly available, frequently abused, and poses the
greatest threat to most metropolitan areas in Kentucky drug rehab center
concerns. The number of addiction treatment admissions for powdered cocaine in
the state fluctuated at high levels from fiscal year 1998 through fiscal year
2000, while the number of drug rehab admissions for crack increased 31 percent
during that period. The distribution and abuse of cocaine are frequently
associated with violent crime. Most of the powdered cocaine available in the
state is transported from Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and
Texas by Mexican and African American criminal groups.
 Marijuana:
Marijuana is the most widely
available and frequently abused illicit drug in Kentucky drug rehab center
concerns; it remains the foremost cash crop throughout the state. Growers are
increasingly using violence to protect themselves and their crop in the state.
Nearly 50 percent of all drug rehab admissions in Kentucky from fiscal year
1998 through fiscal year 2000 were marijuana-related—more than for any
other drug—and the number of addiction treatment admissions for marijuana
abuse increased 27 percent from fiscal year 1998 through fiscal year 2000.
Cannabis is more commonly cultivated outdoors furthering Kentucky drug rehab
center concerns, but the number of indoor cannabis grows is increasing.
Kentucky ranked among the top three states in the nation for the number of
cannabis plants eradicated each year from 1998 through 2000. In 2000 over
460,000 cannabis plants were eradicated in Kentucky drug rehab center concerns,
ranking it third behind California and Hawaii, respectively.
 Club
Drugs:
Other dangerous drugs, especially diverted pharmaceuticals, club
drugs, and hallucinogens, are an increasing threat to Kentucky drug rehab
center concerns. Pharmaceutical diversion investigations were once limited to
individuals but now include multi-person enterprises.
The number of addiction treatment admissions in Kentucky drug rehab
center concerns for abuse of oxycodone—mostly OxyContin and
Percocet—increased 163 percent from fiscal year 1998 through fiscal year
2000. The increased level of diverted pharmaceutical distribution and abuse has
become so significant that the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services developed
computer software to help physicians, pharmacists, and law enforcement
authorities identify patterns of abuse.
The abuse of hallucinogens such
as ketamine, LSD, and psilocybin mushrooms and of club drugs, especially GHB
and MDMA, is increasing. Club drugs and hallucinogens are popular at raves and
dance clubs where the drugs are readily available and frequently abused. Peer
pressure and cultural myths surrounding the use of club drugs continue to
undermine the warnings of healthcare professionals regarding the serious side
effects associated with these drugs.
 Heroin:
Heroin poses a low threat to
Kentucky drug rehab center concerns because it is rarely available or abused in
the state. Heroin availability is limited primarily to urban areas, and
information regarding the heroin threat in other areas of the state is largely
negligible. Most of the heroin available in Kentucky drug rehab center concerns
is produced in Mexico. South American heroin, which on average is higher purity
than Mexican, is available in at least one area of the state. Local independent
Caucasian dealers, the dominant heroin distributors in the state, transport
most of the heroin into Kentucky drug rehab center concerns from major cities
such as Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, and New York. Mexican criminal
groups also distribute heroin in the state but to an even lesser extent.
Kentucky is
located in the south central United States along the western side of the
Appalachian Mountains and is bordered by seven states. The state ranks
twenty-fifth in population with over 4 million residents. More than 35 percent
of the residents are concentrated in 9 of Kentucky drug rehab center concerns
120 counties, and nearly 52 percent live in urban areas. The
Lexington-Louisville-Covington “Golden Triangle,” formed by the
intersection of Interstates 64, 71, and 75, consists of 24 counties in north
central Kentucky drug rehab center concerns and is home to more than 1.7
million residents. This area, known for its economic prosperity, experienced
tremendous population growth during the 1990s. Lexington is the largest city in
Kentucky drug rehab center concerns and home to the state’s largest
university. The greater Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area along the Ohio
River Valley—sometimes referred to as
“Kentuckiana”—includes more than 1 million residents in three
Kentucky and four southern Indiana counties. It is in these densely populated
areas that most of the drugs in the state are distributed and abused.
Covington, in northern Kentucky drug rehab center areas, is located directly
across the Ohio River from the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Most commercial
traffic in Kentucky drug rehab center concerns involves the transit of goods
through the state rather than to or from the state. Kentucky drug rehab center
concerns geographic location and its transportation infrastructure allow easy
access to and movement of goods into and throughout the Great Lakes and
Southeast regions.
The state has five interstate highways (I-24, I-64, I-65, I-71, and
I-75) and four improved parkways, (the Western Kentucky drug rehab center
concerns, Cumberland, William H. Natcher, and Daniel Boone Parkways) among
others, which provide excellent connectivity between Kentucky drug rehab center
concerns cities and other states. Illicit drugs concealed in shipments of
legitimate goods, transported in private and commercial vehicles or shipped via
package delivery services, have an excellent chance of reaching their
destinations due to the sheer volume of traffic that transits the state daily.
Kentucky drug rehab center concerns are home to two of the world’s busiest
airfreight hubs located in Louisville and Hebron. Air cargo facilities at these
sites process thousands of foreign and domestic inbound and outbound shipments
daily.
In
Kentucky drug rehab center concerns overnight delivery services have expanded
as a result of the growth in electronic commerce. In 1999 Louisville was ranked
seventh in the nation and twelfth in the world for its volume of air cargo
shipments. Drugs destined for distribution in Kentucky drug rehab focus areas
are transported primarily to Louisville, Lexington, and Covington, which serve
as distribution cities for the state. Louisville is the primary distribution
city and is the most important transportation center in Kentucky drug rehab
center concerns for licit and illicit goods. Lexington and Covington are
secondary distribution cities. Drug-related arrests are at high levels in
Kentucky drug rehab program focused regions.
In fiscal year (FY) 1999 there
were more than 45,000 drug-related arrests in the state. Most arrests were for
drug possession, and there were more marijuana-related arrests than for any
other illicit drug that year. Possession of drug paraphernalia was the second
most frequent charge. Drug-related addiction treatment admissions and
drug-related deaths have increased in Kentucky drug rehab center concerns.
There was a 26 percent increase in the number of addiction treatment admissions
for drug abuse from FY1998 through FY2000. In FY1998 there were 20,812 drug
addiction treatment admissions, 25,225 in FY1999, and 26,270 in FY2000. There
were also 604 drug-related deaths in Kentucky drug rehab center concerns from
FY1994 through FY1999.
The number of drug-related deaths in Kentucky increased from 76 in
FY1994 to 153 in FY1999. Ninety-one percent were Caucasian, 68 percent were
male, and 21 percent were between ages 35 and 39. Residents of military
installations, which have a huge presence in western Kentucky drug rehab center
concerns, are not exempt from drug abuse. Fort Campbell, located on the
Tennessee border, has a combined military, civilian, and dependent population
of 65,000. Fort Knox, located on the Indiana border, has a combined military,
civilian, and dependent population of 26,000. These numbers account only for
the people who are permanently assigned to these installations, not the
thousands of active duty and reserve soldiers who are temporarily assigned for
training every year. Fort Campbell officials reported that 438 soldiers in 2000
and 423 soldiers in 2001 tested positive for MDMA
(3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), LSD (lysergic
acid diethylamide), or methamphetamine. Fort Knox authorities reported that 144
soldiers in 2000 and 101 in 2001 tested positive for marijuana, cocaine,
methamphetamine, or LSD. There can be no argument that more drug rehab
facilities need to be erected and staffed to handle the addiction treatment
need in Kentucky.
Drug Abuse and Drug Addiction Treatment
Drug Situation: Throughout the
state of Kentucky, diverted pharmaceuticals such as Lorcet, Lortab, and
OxyContin continue to be a major drug problem. Kentucky is also experiencing an
explosive growth in the number of methamphetamine laboratories. The first
laboratories began showing up in the western part of the state in 1998 and have
now rapidly spread eastward. Kentucky is also one of the leading source states
for domestically grown marijuana. Cocaine use is increasing in the metropolitan
areas of the state. The club drug abuse (drugs such as ecstasy and GHB) has
also increased in the Lexington area.
 Other Drugs:
Oxy-Contin: The abuse of diverted pharmaceuticals is a grave drug problem in
the state of Kentucky. Lorcet, Lortab, Percocet, Percodan, Xanax, and more
recently OxyContin (OC) are readily available. The primary source for most of
these pharmaceuticals are “doctor shoppers,” although sources for OCs
include Mexico and armed robberies of pharmacies. However, a growing trend is
for individuals to travel out or state or to use the Internet to obtain these
pharmaceuticals. The abuse of OCs has also led to an increase in
Medicare/Medicaid fraud. Unscrupulous doctors charge these programs for office
visits and treatment that is not performed and the patients sell all or part of
the prescription paid for by these programs in order to supplement their own
incomes. In much of eastern Kentucky, people feel no stigma when abusing
pharmaceuticals. Whole families have grown up abusing these drugs and these
individuals see nothing wrong with using them.
DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams: This cooperative program with
state and local law enforcement counterparts was conceived in 1995 in response
to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities
across the nation. There have been 359 deployments completed resulting in over
14,456 arrests of violent drug criminals as of April 1, 2002. The Detroit MET
is currently deployed to Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
Special Topics: HIDTA: During
April 1998, ONDCP designated 26 counties in southeastern Kentucky as part of
the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. The Appalachia HIDTA is
comprised 65 counties in three states, West Virginia, Kentucky, and
Tennessee.
Addiction Treatment Centers are
Necessary:As with many
states, the abuse of and addiction to certain drugs in on the rise in Kentucky.
Law enforcement efforts must be supported by ensuring drug rehab centers are
available to help individuals overcome their addictions. |