The Source: Where Drugs Come From

In 2008, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized over 49,000 kilograms of cocaine, 660,000 kilograms of marijuana, 1,500 kilograms of methamphetamine, and nearly 600 kilograms of heroin. Along with these seizures came nearly 26,000 arrests. But where are these illicit substances coming from and how are they crossing U.S. borders? This article will discuss the sources of the illicit substances that are mentioned above.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant that is derived from the coca plant. Prolonged use can lead to stroke, heart attack, malnutrition, and other health problems. Crack is a modified form of cocaine. For more information on cocaine, cocaine addiction, and its use throughout history, read Then & Now: Past & Present Use of Cocaine.

The leading cultivator of the coca plant is Colombia, which accounts for about 90% of the cocaine that crosses into the United States. The Colombian government has been taking steps to eliminate thousands of acres of cultivation and seized over 190 metric tons of cocaine in 2007. The majority of the remaining 10% that enters the U.S. comes from Bolivia and Peru. Political problems and cultural identity issues have complicated efforts to work towards eradicating coca cultivation in these countries. Some of the countries that cocaine is smuggled through to the United States and Europe include West Africa, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Authorities in these countries have intercepted many metric tons of cocaine and other illicit substances.

Marijuana

Also derived from a plant, marijuana can lead to feelings of relaxation, decreased inhibitions, periods of silliness/giggling, and increased appetite. Although marijuana is sometimes used to treat the pain of certain medical conditions, when misused or abused, marijuana can have detrimental effects on a user’s health. For example, some research suggests that there may be a connection between marijuana use and schizophrenia (Read Marijuana Use & Mental Health: A Path to Schizophrenia?) For more information on how marijuana has been used throughout history, read Then & Now: Past & Present Use of Marijuana. If you suspect that a loved one is using marijuana?

The U.S. market for marijuana comprises nearly 20 million potential users. Outside of the United States, nearly 4,000 metric tons of marijuana are produced in North America. Other sources that produce marijuana for distribution in the U.S. include Jamaica, Nigeria, and Colombia. The U.S. DEA reports that marijuana from Canada is becoming increasingly more potent, which may be the result of increased indoor production under protected laboratory conditions. Hydroponic growth is also problematic in the U.S. In 2007, Mexico seized over 2,000 metric tons of marijuana.

Methamphetamine/Amphetamine

Amphetamines are man-made substances that resemble naturally occurring substances; Methamphetamines are another alteration of the form of the substances. The effects of methamphetamine can last up to 6 hours. To learn more about how amphetamines (and methamphetamines) have been used and abused, read Then & Now: Past & Present Use of Amphetamines.

Because these types of synthetic substances can be created anywhere and at a relatively low cost, they represent a problem that is difficult to eradicate. After stricter regulations were imposed on the sale of the pharmaceuticals used to produce methamphetamine (e.g., ephedrine and pseudoephedrine) in 2006, the patterns of methamphetamines in the United States have changed. Now, the U.S. market is primarily saturated with methamphetamines from Mexican and Asian trafficking organizations. In addition to methamphetamine, MDMA (aka “Ecstasy”) is also produced in Canada and marketed in the U.S.

The availability of illicit substances without a prescription on the internet has also complicated the problem of the distribution of controlled substances. The number of these pharmacies has increased substantially since 2005. Furthermore, the problem of prescription drug abuse is increasing in the teenage population, according to a 2007 “Monitoring the Future” survey (Read Parents & Pills: Unintentional Drug Dealers).

Heroin and Other Opiates

Heroin is a CNS depressant that is derived from the sap of the opium poppy; it is highly addictive. Other opiates like morphine, OxyContin, and Vicodin are used in the treatment of pain associated with certain medical conditions but may also be abused and/or lead to addiction. For more information on heroin, visit our heroin page. (Also, read Then & Now: Past & Present Use of Opiates). If you would like to evaluate whether or not your loved one is abusing or addicted to opiates.

Opium can be harvested after only a 6-month growing period, which is much faster than the maturation of the coca plant. The main regions that cultivate the opium poppy are Afghanistan (which, in 2007, was responsible for 93% of the world’s poppy production) and Southwest Asia although Colombia and Mexico do as well. Opiate production represented nearly $4 billion for Afghanistan, which is nearly 1/3 of the country’s GDP. Political unrest and instability in the southern area of the country account for the increasing production and problem. Despite Afghanistan’s presence on the world stage in terms of opium production, most of the heroin in the western U.S. comes from Mexico whereas the heroin in the eastern U.S. comes from Colombia.

What should I do if someone I know has a problem with an illicit substance?

An important step in fighting addiction effectively is learning about addiction in general and the addictive substance in particular. Visit our Drugs page to learn more about specific substances and our Features page to read more about issues related to addiction. If you are ready to take the next step, contact eDrugRehab and speak with a professional addiction and intervention specialist. We can help you arrange an intervention, select a rehab facility, and start on the road to recovery.