Drugs in the United States: Michigan

State Facts Population: 9,938,444 Law Enforcement Officers: 20,583 State Prison Population: 48,669 Probation Population: 170,978 Violent Crime Rate National Ranking: 12

2001 Federal Drug Seizures Cocaine: 537.6 kgs. Heroin: 10.9 kgs. Methamphetamine: 2.1 kgs. Marijuana: 3,571.1 kgs. Clandestine Laboratories: 119 (DEA, state, and local)

Cocaine, heroin, and marijuana continue to be the primary drug threats in the state of Michigan. The Detroit area is seeing a resurgence in the availability of Southeast Asian (SEA) heroin. The level of use and availability of heroin fluctuates, but it remains a threat in the state. In addition, the Detroit metropolitan area has emerged as a transshipment point for bulk quantities/shipments of pseudoephedrine, a chemical used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

Cocaine: Cocaine HCL is readily available throughout Michigan, with the greatest availability in the densely populated areas where quantities remain stable. Cocaine destined for the state of Michigan originates from source areas such as the Southwest Border of the U.S., Southern Florida, New York, and Chicago. The price and purity of cocaine has remained relatively stable in Michigan for the past several years.

Heroin: Heroin is widely available throughout the Detroit area and the more densely populated areas of Michigan. Heroin destined for the Michigan region continues to originate from different parts of the world. Large quantities of heroin are imported from South America, Mexico, and Africa. Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin are prevalent in the metropolitan Detroit area.

Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine continues to be available in the State of Michigan with the western, southwest, and central areas of the state reporting the majority of cases. Most production at this time is occurring in rural areas. Methamphetamine availability remains low in the Detroit area, although the Detroit-Windsor border continues to be an entry point for a major pseudoephedrine smuggling route.

Club Drugs: The use of club drugs such as Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, and Ketamine has steadily increased in Michigan. Club drugs are growing in popularity among young adults and juveniles, particularly in most urban areas of the state where “Rave” parties are also increasing. Most areas of the state, with the exception of the central lower-peninsula, report MDMA to be readily available.

Marijuana: Marijuana continues to be the most commonly used and readily available illicit drug throughout Michigan. The vast majority of marijuana sold in Michigan originates in Mexico, however, domestically grown marijuana is also available and is grown for export to other near-by states and Canada.

Other Drugs: The diversion and abuse of pharmaceuticals, especially OxyContin, represent a significant threat to Michigan. Oxycontin is a slow-release form of the painkiller Oxycodone, which is of benefit to cancer patients and those with chronic pain. OxyContin, with effects the same as other opiate derivatives, is obtained legally through prescriptions and illegally on the street.

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 348 deployments completed resulting in 14,794 arrests of violent drug criminals as of June 2002. There have been nine MET deployments in the State of Michigan since the inception of the program: Pontiac, Ypsilanti, Lincoln Park/Melvindale, Inkster, Muskegon, Benton Harbor, Mt. Clemens, Flint, and Lansing.

Special Topics: During 1997, ONDCP designated areas within Michigan as the Southeast Michigan High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (SEM HIDTA). The SEM HIDTA is comprised of the Michigan counties of Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw. Recently, ONDCP provided additional funding to the SEM HIDTA, enabling it to branch out to two additional counties, Van Buren and Allegan.

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