The addiction struggle in Massachusetts has long centered around heroin abuse. The state's Emergency Rooms see four times the number of cases featuring heroin, compared to the rest of the country. Heroin overdoses became so severe in some neighborhoods like Charlestown, a small district in northern Boston, that the communities banded together to drive out dealers and pump funds into treatment for the addicts. This small district alone was seeing forty overdoses a year between 2007 and 2008. Thirteen people died. High-quality heroin is available from gram to kilogram quantities throughout the state. New York is the primary source area, entering by interstate highway via public and privately operated vehicles equipped with hidden compartments. The primary suppliers are of Colombian and Dominican origin, with retail distribution among all ethnic groups. These centers provide high-quality heroin purchased in pure form, then cut and repackaged for resale. Heroin distribution and use continues to be spread throughout the state, with extremely low wholesale/ retail prices and purity levels routinely exceeding 60%. Abuse remains widespread, with continued reports of heroin overdose deaths and incidences occurring throughout the state.

Cocaine continues to be readily available from gram to kilogram quantities throughout the state. The primary source area is New York with other source areas including Florida and the Southwest Border. Cocaine is transported in multi-kilogram quantities via commercial transit, tractor trailers, and vehicles equipped with hidden compartments. Cocaine is also imported via mail services. Importers continue to be of Colombian and Dominican origin, with retail distribution among all ethnic groups. Cocaine prices continue to be stable, with slight decreases in purity levels noted. Crack Cocaine is obtained from New York, Florida, and Puerto Rico, and is converted locally as well. African-American violators and street gang members continue to dominate the drugs’ distribution. Abuse remains widespread and crack has been reported as the drug of choice within Boston city limits.

MDMA (Ecstasy) and Ketamine are readily available. MDMA is found at rave parties, legitimate nightclubs, and on college campuses across the state. The majority of the MDMA originated from couriers traveling by commercial airlines and express mail deliveries from sources in Western Europe and New York. A small number of seizures have involved MDMA originating from Canada. Ketamine has been diverted from legitimate sources such as veterinary clinics and abused at legitimate nightclubs across the state, particularly in the greater Boston area. Ketamine seems to be one of several drugs, along with MDMA and GHB that are popular in the “rave” scene. GHB is widely available, particularly in western Massachusetts.

Oxycodone products continue to be diverted in the state. Percocet, Roxicet, and OxyContin are readily available in Massachusetts. Oxycontin, diverted from legitimate distributors, is frequently imported into Massachusetts from Mexico. Traffickers are also diverting OxyContin express mail shipments into the greater Boston area. Well-organized doctor shopping rings forged and/or altered prescriptions and diversion from individuals’ prescriptions are the most commonly found diversion methods in the state.