Crack Cocaine Trends In 2002

Crack cocaine trends continue to rise in almost all of NIDA's Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG) areas in 2002.

Rates of Emergency Department (ED) mentions per 100,000 population were higher for cocaine use than for any other drug in 17 CEWG areas. Rates increased significantly between the second half of 2001 and the first half of 2002 in Baltimore, Denver, Newark, and San Diego, while decreasing in San Francisco and Seattle. ED rates were highest in Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Miami in the first half of 2002. Rates for cocaine abuse were much higher than those for methamphetamine abuse in west coast areas.

Crack cocaine trends in treatment admissions from 2000 to 2002 showed little change in most CEWG areas. Primary cocaine admissions constituted more than 40 percent of illicit drug admissions (excluding alcohol) in seven areas, with the majority being for crack. Additionally, polydrug use was common among powder and crack cocaine abusers. Cocaine use trends was reported frequently as a secondary drug by heroin abusers admitted to treatment. Between 27 and 49 percent of male arrestees tested positive for cocaine in 14 CEWG areas. Nationwide in 2002 crack/cocaine trends rise as 61,594 kilograms of cocaine were seized by the DEA?3.6 percent more than in 2001 and 35.9 percent more than in 1995.

Information released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse

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