North Carolina\s need for addiction treatment:  The production, distribution, and abuse of illicit drugs and the diversion and abuse of pharmaceuticals pose serious threats to North Carolina making the need for addiction treatment in the area imperative. Cocaine represents the principal drug threat to North Carolina followed by marijuana. Methamphetamine is a growing threat to the state. Heroin is available and abused most commonly in urban areas and is rarely available in rural areas. Among other dangerous drugs, OxyContin represents the primary threat.

North Carolina\'s need for cocaine drug rehab:  Cocaine, particularly crack, poses an extreme drug threat to North Carolina and as drug use is on the rise in these areas so is the need for cocaine drug rehab programs. Distribution and abuse of crack cocaine frequently are associated with violent crime throughout the state. Crack cocaine is readily available in the state. The number of treatment admissions for cocaine abuse increased 21 percent from fiscal year 1996 through fiscal year 1999. The number of cocaine-related deaths increased 12 percent from 1999 through 2000. Most of the powdered cocaine in North Carolina is transported into the state in commercial and private vehicles from Mexico and southwestern states. Additional quantities are transported into the state via package delivery services and on airplanes, buses, and passenger trains. Some cocaine is transported into North Carolina from other distribution areas in states such as Florida, Georgia, New York, and South Carolina. Most powdered cocaine transported into the state is converted to crack. Mexican criminal groups are the primary transporters of powdered cocaine into and through North Carolina; however, African American, Caucasian, Jamaican, and Dominican criminal groups as well as outlaw motorcycle gangs transport powdered cocaine into the state. Mexican criminal groups are the dominant wholesale distributors of powdered cocaine in North Carolina. To a lesser extent, African American, Caucasian, Jamaican, and Dominican criminal groups as well as outlaw motorcycle gangs distribute wholesale quantities of powdered cocaine in the state. Caucasian and Hispanic local independent dealers are the dominant retail distributors of powdered cocaine. African American gangs and local independent dealers dominate retail crack distribution.

North Carolina\'s need marijuana drug rehab programs:  Marijuana is the most readily available and widely abused drug in North Carolina making the need for marijuana drug rehab programs a necessity.  Marijuana is abused by individuals of various ages in North Carolina. Outdoor cannabis cultivation is widespread in the state. Indoor cultivation occurs to a lesser extent. Mexican criminal groups, the dominant wholesale distributors of marijuana in the state, transport multiton shipments of Mexico-produced marijuana into North Carolina in tractor-trailers, primarily from Mexico and southwestern states. African American, Caucasian, and Jamaican criminal groups as well as outlaw motorcycle gangs also transport marijuana produced in Mexico into North Carolina and distribute wholesale quantities. Caucasian and Mexican criminal groups also distribute wholesale quantities of marijuana produced in large outdoor grows in North Carolina. At the retail level, marijuana is distributed by African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic gangs; outlaw motorcycle gangs; and local independent producers and dealers.

North Carolina\'s need for methamphetamine addiction treatment:  Methamphetamine is an increasing threat to North Carolina along with that comes an increasing need for methamphetamine addiction treatment.  Law enforcement authorities in areas of western North Carolina report that methamphetamine has replaced crack cocaine in some counties as the principal drug threat because it is increasingly available and abused, is less expensive, and produces longer-lasting effects. The number of methamphetamine-related federal sentences increased dramatically from FY1996 through FY2000. Most of the methamphetamine available in North Carolina is produced in Mexico, California, and southwestern states using the hydriodic acid/red phosphorus method and transported into the state. Small quantities of the drug are produced in North Carolina, particularly in western counties, using the Birch reduction and iodine/red phosphorus methods. The number of methamphetamine laboratories seized each year by law enforcement authorities has increased since 1999. Mexican and Caucasian criminal groups and OMGs transport methamphetamine into the state from Mexico, California, and southwestern states and are the dominant wholesale distributors of the drug. Mexican and Caucasian criminal groups as well as Caucasian local independent dealers, Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, and methamphetamine producers are the dominant retail distributors of the drug.

North Carolina\'s need for heroin drug rehab:  Levels of availability and rates of abuse of heroin are generally low to moderate in most areas of North Carolina but this does not lessen the need for heroin drug rehab. Heroin is available and abused most commonly in urban areas and is rarely available in rural areas. Most heroin abusers in North Carolina are older, chronic abusers who inject the drug. However, since the 1990s when high purity South American heroin became available, a younger, middle-class population has begun to abuse the drug. High purity heroin allows abusers to effectively snort or smoke the drug and avoid the health hazards and social stigma associated with injecting drugs. South American heroin is the type most commonly available and abused in North Carolina, although Mexican black tar heroin also is distributed and abused in a few parts of the state. African American, Caucasian, and Mexican criminal groups transport relatively small amounts of heroin into North Carolina primarily in private and commercial vehicles. These criminal groups sell retail quantities directly to abusers or to African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic gang members and local independent dealers who conduct further retail distribution.

North Carolina\'s need for drug rehab:  Other dangerous drugs, including the stimulant MDMA; the depressant GHB and its analogs; the hallucinogens LSD, ketamine, and PCP; and diverted pharmaceuticals, particularly OxyContin, are a growing threat to North Carolina and the need for drug rehab in the area is on the rise. Among other dangerous drugs, OxyContin and MDMA represent the primary threats. MDMA, GHB and its analogs, and hallucinogens are popular among young individuals in urban areas and college towns and are sold primarily by young Caucasian males on college campuses, at nightclubs, and at high energy, all-night dance parties called raves. The diversion and abuse of pharmaceuticals, most notably OxyContin, are growing problems in North Carolina. Law enforcement officers in several jurisdictions have conducted prescription fraud investigations, and thefts of pharmaceuticals are increasing. Thieves frequently target retail pharmacies, medical clinics, and nursing homes.