Drugs in the United States: Arkansas

State Facts Population: 2,673,400 Law Enforcement Officers: 6,664 State Prison Population: 4,577 Probation Population: 30,480 Violent Crime Rate National Ranking: 23

2001 Federal Drug Seizures Cocaine: 18.9 kgs. Heroin: 0 kgs. Methamphetamine: 9.2 kgs. Marijuana: 2,281.1 kgs. Clandestine Laboratories: 366 (DEA, state, and local)

Foreign-based and domestic drug trafficking groups have developed sizable transportation and distribution networks throughout Arkansas for methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana. While the significant increase in the Hispanic population over the past few years enables those Hispanics importing methamphetamine into the state to be less conspicuous, far and away the most significant problem facing Arkansas is the proliferation of small, toxic local clandestine methamphetamine labs distributing locally.

Cocaine: Both cocaine and crack cocaine are a significant drug threat in Arkansas. Many of the violent crimes in the state are directly associated with distribution and abuse of crack cocaine in both the inner city and rural areas.

Heroin: Both South American and Mexican heroin trafficking are slowly increasing in Arkansas, but are not viewed as a significant threat by drug law enforcement entities. The rate of admissions for heroin abuse at drug treatment clinics is low compared to neighboring states.

Methamphetamine: The distribution and abuse of Mexican and locally produced methamphetamine continue to rise and are a significant issue in Arkansas. Recent investigations and intelligence indicate a dramatic increase in the number of small manufacturing operations. Production remains directly related to the availability of precursor chemicals, primarily ephedrine/pseudoephedrine and anhydrous ammonia. Instructions to produce methamphetamine found on the Internet, coupled with the relative ease in procuring precursor chemicals, makes methamphetamine production and distribution available to anyone. Intelligence indicates that Mexico-based poly-drug trafficking organizations are transporting large quantities of methamphetamine into Arkansas for consumption and further distribution to adjacent states via parcel delivery, private and commercial vehicles and airplanes. There is reliable information that weapons are also being supplied to Mexican organizations in California in lieu of payment for methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is most often abused among the Caucasian working class.

Club Drugs: The popularity and demand for club drugs in Arkansas is rising. MDMA, LSD, GHB, and Ketamine are readily available although MDMA, which is the most popular, is perhaps the greatest future threat to Arkansas youth. The majority of club drug distribution occurs at nightclubs and drinking establishments. Club drugs are transported most often via parcel delivery services from sources in Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami and Amsterdam.

Marijuana: Mexican and domestically produced marijuana is abundantly available in Arkansas. Intelligence indicates that locally grown marijuana is distributed to other states, including Mississippi and Texas. The majority of marijuana arrests and seizures in Arkansas, however, are from Operation Pipeline stops as they transit through the state and parcel interceptions. Seizures in excess of 1,000 pounds are typically concealed in tractor-trailers destined for cities on the East Coast.

Other Drugs: Pseudoephedrine is a precursor chemical used in the manufacture of methamphetamine and is sold in convenience stores throughout the state. Recent Arkansas legislation proposed to remove pseudoephedrine tablets from store shelves and place them behind the counter distributed by the pharmacy section. Additionally, Arkansas State legislation passed in June 2001 made it illegal to posses over nine grams of pseudoephedrine and illegal to sell more than three grams per transaction.

OxyContin is a slow release form of the painkiller Oxycodone, which is of benefit to cancer patients and those with chronic pain. OxyContin, which effects as other opiate derivatives, is obtained legally through prescriptions, as well as illegally on the street. Oxycontin is being abused at a rate many law enforcement officials describe as epidemic. In Arkansas, it is being abused in the Ft. Smith, Fayetteville and Harrison areas. The DEA Little Rock Office reported that Hydrocodonel is still the most commonly diverted and abused licit drug in Arkansas.

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 two MET deployments in Arkansas, both in Pine Bluff, resulting in 68 arrests.

Special Topics: A HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) proposal was submitted by Governor Mike Huckabee and Director Donald Melton of the Arkansas State Police in November 2001. To date, there has been no word on approval.

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