Posted by azdrugrehabctr on June 28, 2016 under Addiction Trends, AZ Drug Rehab News | 
Cities throughout the country have witnessed an increase in violent crime for the last two years. And while crime is on the rise, it is not increasing at steady rates. This makes it difficult for experts and law enforcement to pinpoint exactly what is spurring the increase in violence. One theory that is growing in popularity is the effect of the Mexican drug cartels.
In the past, Colombian drug cartels, the Italian mafia and Asian drug rings have all been a threat to our national security. However, Mexican drug cartels have risen above all these groups and now pose the greatest risk to the United States when it comes to drug consumption, violence and murder, according to official reports from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The DEA has established several links between the cartels in Mexico and the street gangs in the US. “The Mexican drug cartels are moving to expand their share of US illicit drug markets, particularly heroin markets… Many gangs [in the United States] rely on Mexican Transnational criminal organizations as their primary drug source of supply, and Mexican organizations depend on street-level gangs, many of which already have a customer base, for drug distribution,” explained officials at the DEA.
Once the DEA was able to establish links between gangs and cartels, they began to see how these relationships were causing murder rates in the US cities to spike. Cartels in Mexico have developed a type of heroin that is much cheaper than past batches. This inexpensive heroin is more attractive to gangs because it allows them to sell more and make more of a profit. With more money on the line, gangs are waging war with rival gangs over territories, fighting over who can sell heroin on what corners.
With the Mexican drug cartel’s influence over the gang structure in the United States, and their influence over addicts in this country, it is easy to see why they are a threatening criminal organization. However, as long as people keep using drugs, someone will always be there to capitalize on their demise. Stamping out any one source will never erase the problem, as only prevention, intervention and treatment will ultimately solve the drug addiction epidemic.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on October 30, 2015 under Addiction Trends, Synthetic Drugs |
Earlier this month the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made an announcement about its progress in reducing the amount of synthetic drugs hitting the streets. According to their release, they seized thousands of kilograms of various types of synthetic drugs as well as weapons, cash and assets totaling more than 15 million dollars.
There are several types of substances that fit into this category, including synthetic marijuana, flakka, bath salts and more. The surge in these types of chemicals has fueled concerns throughout the country as more incidents involving users going to the emergency room are reported. The DEA reports that most of these substances come from china and then the final processing, packaging and distribution happens here in the U.S.
“This poison ruins and takes too many lives; this is incredibly dangerous stuff,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg. “Project Synergy III demonstrates our collective commitment to pursue those who produce and distribute this garbage to our children and I am grateful for the partnership of HSI and CBP on this operation.”
In addition to reducing the flow of synthetic drugs into the United States, the project continues to reveal the transfer of millions of dollars from the sale of these drugs to countries of concern in the Middle East.
It has also been revealed through national surveys that users of synthetic drugs like these are also much more likely to abuse other drugs. Aside from law enforcement tactics, the more people are aware of the dangers of the substances, the more lives we can save.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on February 28, 2015 under Addiction Trends |
Typically, many incidents involving the drug cartels occur near the Mexican border, however law enforcement has been seeing a dangerous new trend. Drug cartels are moving into other states and taking the violence with them. Washington State is one of the areas that has seen an increase in drug cartel activity. Public officials warn that the violence will continue and the drug cartels will also continue to move throughout the nation as long as the demand for drugs remains high.
“For this area it’s sort of just unbelievable,” explained a resident wholives in a quiet West Washington suburb. Police and the DEA worked together to arrest Cristian Berrelleza Verduzco for his part in a black ice ring. Black ice is a form of methamphetamine and has gained quite a following in the northwestern states. The DEA became aware of Verduzco while they were investigating the Beltran Leyva cartel. The cartel is well known for their sale and distribution of methamphetamine, heroin and illegal fire arms.
The DEA was surprised to learn that one of the top sellers in the cartel was living in a quiet suburb in Washington State. Instead of typical drug-dealing behavior like people coming to the house at odd hours, lots of different cars in front of the house and violence and arguing in public, Verduzco kept a low profile. “There was no drug trafficking, no big parties or anything like that so they were being pretty discrete about what they were doing,” explained the neighbor.
Hiding in plain sight seems to have worked for a bit. The DEA reports that Verduzco lived in the location for years and never aroused suspicion. However, the DEA has been aware that Washington State is a common place for drug cartel members to live. An agent from the DEA explained that around 80 percent of the incidents that are investigated have ties to the drug cartels in Mexico. One reason for this incredible number is that Interstate 5 seems to be a major route of transportation for illegal drugs that come in through Arizona and Texas.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on May 21, 2014 under Synthetic Drugs |
Synthetic drugs hit the market decades ago. Most people are familiar with ecstasy and MDMA – “club” drugs that are known for producing a long lasting euphoria. Lately, synthetic marijuana, opiates and cocaine have grown in popularity as well. Teens across the country have found an easier way to get high – go to the store and buy your drugs. In addition to being about to purchase some of these drugs at the local market, users are securing the drugs online as well.
It didn’t take long for officials to catch on to this new trend. In response, they set up nationwide surveillance and set out to arrest those responsible for bringing these synthetic drugs to children. After months of hard work, the DEA announced they had arrested over 150 people, seized over 20 million dollars in cash and obtained hundreds of thousands of synthetic drugs.
DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart commented that the agency was focusing on individuals “who are all too willing to experiment on our children and young adults.”
Synthetic drugs are quickly becoming more dangerous than street drugs. Because the drugs are designed in a lab they are more potent and pose a greater risk for overdose. Due to the different ingredients, many of which have never been tested, and the way the drugs are produced, many addicts suffer from serious side effects. Violent episodes, extreme paranoia and hallucinations are just some of the extreme reactions to synthetic drugs.
The most common forms of synthetic drugs are; bath salts, spice (synthetic marijuana), ecstasy and Salvia. Some of these drugs can be purchased at the grocery store or online; however, officials are starting to regulate and prohibit the sales of these substances. With the joint efforts of the DEA and local officials, the push to end the use of synthetic drugs is well under way. In fact the first phase of the round up lasted from December 2012 to June 2013. In that time period the DEA announced more than 227 arrests.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on April 25, 2014 under Prescription Drugs |
Why is it important that unused prescriptions be properly disposed of?
Unwanted, unused, and unmonitored medications can be dangerous when left around the house. These drugs are susceptible to misuse by a teenager or accidental use by a young child. Many who have children or grandchildren in their house are especially concerned about the security of their medications. Others are worried that medications that are flushed or otherwise improperly disposed of will end up damaging the environment and the water supply.
Should I be concerned about the teens in my family taking my medications?
It’s better to be safe than sorry. Prescription drug abuse has been declared an epidemic in the United States. Experts say teens and many adults think prescription drugs are safer than other illicit drugs because the pills were prescribed by a physician and came from a pharmacy, but prescription pills can be just as deadly as illegal drugs.
A 2010 study found that more than 50% of teenagers who took prescription drugs said they obtained their pills from the family’s medicine cabinet, according to the DEA. “More than 70% of people abusing prescription pain relievers got them through friends or a relative,” said R. Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Do these take-back events really make a difference?
Two years ago, the DEA held the first National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, where drugs could be turned in anonymously to law-enforcement offices across the country. Six other take-back days have occurred since then, and the DEA reports that more than 1,000 tons of prescription medications have been collected for disposal.
According to the trends, each take-back event is gaining more traction, leading to more collections each time. Any pill handed over to authorities is one fewer pill on the street.
Where can I go to take back my unused medications?
Click here to find a collection site near you.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on February 13, 2014 under Addiction Trends |
While the overall total of methamphetamine users in the United States is still lower than it was several years ago, recent trafficking information indicates it is on the rise again. A U.S. Attorney in the Southern California area just charged nearly 50 people with trafficking after a year-long investigation. She claimed they prosecuted more than 900 meth cases last year.
The staggering number for just that one area is indicative of the amount of meth being brought into the U.S. from Mexico since laws reduced local small-labs around the country. Total cases are up more than six times from the number just five years ago.
Additionally, officials say that over 12,000 pounds of meth were seized last year crossing into California from Mexico, which is double the amount from just two years earlier. The methamphetamine from this latest investigation was found to be sold from San Diego to as far away as Minnesota.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Southwest Border Initiative (SWBI) has been operating for 20 years. It combines resources and efforts from multiple law enforcement agencies to combat the drug trafficking groups that bring in very large amounts of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana into the United States from Mexico. While efforts to reduce the supply may not be completely done in vain, many experts and people throughout the country would prefer to have more funding diverted from drug war operations into drug prevention and treatment programs.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on November 21, 2013 under Synthetic Drugs |
Last week the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) carried out its intent to place three more synthetic drug compounds on the Schedule I list as having no medicinal value and made them illegal. The compounds are powerful hallucinogens called synthetic phenethylamines.
The move from the DEA makes them outlawed for two years initially, at which point a decision can be made to have them become permanently illegal. According to a release the Administration, these drugs have been responsible for at least 19 deaths in the past year or so.
The abbreviate chemical names for the drugs are 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe and 25B-NBOMe and have reportedly been found in powdered form, liquid solutions on blotter paper and combined with edible items.
The DEA says that NBOMe compounds are substantially more potent than other hallucinogenic compounds, and the data suggest that extremely small amounts of these drugs can cause seizures, cardiac and respiratory arrest, and also death, as evidenced by the recorded loss of lives.
The continued pursuit of identifying and outlawing synthetic compounds have had the DEA constantly playing catch-up, and the aftermath caused by the new drugs in terms of damage to lives has been a difficult transition for treatment professionals. If you have a loved one in need of help for a problem with synthetic drugs of any kind, contact us today for treatment solutions.
Posted by azdrugrehabctr on November 12, 2013 under Prescription Drugs |
On October 26th, the DEA held its prescription drug take-back day. Although this was a nationwide event, the Phoenix DEA office reported that there were 90 collection sites around the state of Arizona, which netted more than ten thousand pounds of left over prescription drugs.
With over five tons collected that day, the total collected for the state over the past few years has been 29 tons (58,000 pounds). Prescription drug take-back programs have effectively discarded several hundred thousand tons of unused and unwanted medications. The idea is to help get them off the street and out of medicine cabinets to help prevent that type of substance abuse.
According to the DEA’s release, “Disposal of unwanted, unused or expired drugs is one of four strategies for reducing prescription drug abuse and diversion laid out in Epidemic: Responding to America’s Prescription Drug Abuse Crisis. The other strategies include education of health care providers, patients, parents and youth; enhancing and encouraging the establishment of prescription drug monitoring programs in all the states; and increased enforcement to address doctor shopping and pill mills.”
