State
Facts Population: 11,353,140 Law
Enforcement Officers: 25,265 State Prison
Population: 45,244 Probation Population: 29,155
Violent Crime Rate National Ranking:
34 |
2001
Federal Drug Seizures Cocaine: 343.3 kgs.
Heroin: 18.2 kgs. Methamphetamine:
1.3 kgs. Marijuana: 2,440.9 kgs.
Clandestine Laboratories: 86 (DEA, state, and
local) |
Top 20 cities in OhioMentor Cuyahoga Falls Mansfield Euclid Middletown Lakewood Elyria Kettering Hamilton Springfield Lorain Canton Youngstown Parma Dayton Akron Toledo Cincinnati Cleveland Columbus
Substance Abuse and Drug Rehab Centers
Drug Situation: The primary drug
threats in Ohio are powdered (and crack) cocaine and because the most violent
crime in the state is attributed to their distribution and abuse. Also, the
rising availability of high-purity, low-cost heroin is creating a large user
population with a greater physical risk to users, who are younger than ever
before. For these reasons, more addiction treatment centers are needed.
Marijuana remains the most abused drug in the state, and abuse among residents
under 18 years of age ranks highest among all age groups. Club drugs and MDMA
(Ecstasy) are also growing in popularity in urban areas. Meanwhile,
methamphetamine manufacturing and use are increasing, but has not reached the
levels of other states in the Midwest.
Cocaine: Powdered cocaine and crack cocaine
constitute the greatest drug threats in Ohio, as evidenced by the fact that
cocaine was the most prevalent drug of abuse detected among arrestees in
Cleveland from 1990 to 1999 and the drug of choice by a great number seeking
drug addiction treatment. Moreover, Ohio experienced an 11 percent increase in
statewide cocaine treatment admissions between 1998 and 1999. In addition, many
of the violent crimes in the state are directly associated with the
distribution and abuse of cocaine HCL and crack.
Heroin: Heroin distribution and abuse are increasing
in Ohio, and the number of publicly funded drug addiction treatment admission
increased more than 16 percent from 1998 to 1999. Heroin signature analysis
indicates that South American and Mexican black tar are the most prevalent in
Ohio. Kilogram quantities of the drug average 80 percent pure throughout the
state.
 Methamphetamine: In-state Methamphetamine production
has become a significant issue in Ohio. The number of laboratories seized in
Ohio more than doubled from 29 laboratories in CY 2000 to 87 laboratories in CY
2001. The increase in Methamphetamine laboratories in Ohio has led to greater
Methamphetamine availability throughout the state and greater numbers of
individuals entering drug rehab centers due to methamphetamine
addiction.
Club Drugs:
The use of Club drugs such as Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, Ketamine, and LSD has
steadily increased in Ohio. Club drugs are growing in popularity among young
adults and juveniles, particularly in most urban areas of the state where
Rave parties are also increasing. Eleven of 15 Ohio law enforcement
agencies reported an increase of club drug activity in year 2000 and an
increase in the number of individuals reporting having abused club drugs as a
primary or secondary drug upon entry to a drug rehab center.
Marijuana: Marijuana remains the most
prevalent drug of abuse in Ohio. Although Ohio is a source area for marijuana,
it is also imported from Mexico. Marijuana usage crosses all socio-economic and
cultural lines. In addition, experimental use by juveniles (ranging from the
ages of 10-12 years old) is also on the rise.
Other Drugs:
Pseudoephedrine: Pseudoephedrine is a precursor chemical used
in the production of methamphetamine. Many chemical distributors in Ohio
(registrants or grandfathered applicants) are involved in trafficking List I
chemicals, specifically pseudoephedrine, to Mexican methamphetamine labs in
California.
Oxy-Contin: The diversion and abuse of pharmaceuticals,
especially OxyContin, represent a significant threat to Ohio. Oxy-Contin is a
slow release form of the painkiller Oxycodone, which is of benefit to cancer
patients and those with chronic pain. Oxycontin, whose effects are the same as
other opiate derivatives, is obtained legally through prescriptions, as well as
illegally on the street. Oxycontin addiction is increasing according to those
in drug addiction treatment.
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. There have been six Mobile Enforcement Team
(MET) deployments in the State of Ohio since the inception of the program:
Toledo, East Cleveland, Jefferson County, Village of Lincoln Heights, Warren,
and Youngstown.
Special Topics: HIDTA During June 1999, ONDCP
designated areas within northern Ohio as the Ohio High Intensity Drug
Trafficking Area (Ohio HIDTA). The Ohio HIDTA is comprised of the Ohio counties
of Cuyahoga, Lucas, Mahoning, Stark, and Summit.
Drug Addiction Treatment Needed:With the increase in abuse and addiction of drugs both illegal and
prescribed, more addiction treatment centers are needed to help combat the
problem. |