Cincinnati Region
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Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network Drug Abuse Trends in the Cincinnati Region June 2010-January 2011 John R. Kasich, Governor Orman Hall, Director FAYETTE BUTLER WARREN CLINTON ROSS HAMILTON HIGHLAND PIKE CLERMONT BROWN ADAMS SCIOTO LAWRENCE Regional Epidemiologist: Jan Scaglione, BS, MT, PharmD, DABAT OSAM Staff: R. Thomas Sherba, PhD, MPH, LPCC Principal Investigator Rick Massatti, MSW Research Administrator • Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services • Division of Planning, Outcomes & Research • 280 N. High St., 12th floor, Columbus, OH 43215• 1-800-788-7254 • www.odadas.ohio.gov • Cincinnati Region Surveillance of Drug Abuse Trends in the State of Ohio Cincinnati Region Regional Profile Indicator1 Ohio Cincinnati Region OSAM Drug Consumers Total Population, 2009 estimate 11,514,603 2,053,493 38 Gender (Female), 2009 51.2% 51.1% 50.0% Whites, 2009 82.2% 83.2% 47.4% African Americans, 2009 11.9% 12.6% 47.4% Hispanic or Latino Origin, 2009 2.8% 2.0% 2.6% High school graduates, 2008 84.6% 89.9% 76.3% Median household income, 2009 $45,467 $41,672 Less than $12,000 Persons below poverty, 2009 15.1% 16.2% 48.6%2 Ohio and Cincinnati statistics are derived from the U.S. Census Bureau1. Respondents reported income by selecting a category that best represented their household’s approximate income for 20092. Poverty status was unable to be determined for three respondents due to missing or insufficient income data3. Drug Consumer Characteristics (N=38) Male 19 Female 19 20's 17 30's 9 40's 6 50's + 6 Less than high school graduate 9 High school graduate/GED 16 Some college or associate’s degree 11 Bachelor’s degree or higher 2 Less than $12,000 22 $12,000 ‐ $18,000 7 Income Education Age Gender $18,001 ‐ $31,000 1 $31,001 ‐ $50,000 5 More than $50,000 3 Household Alcohol 24 Club Drugs (e.g., ecstasy) 3 Heroin 14 Marijuana 27 Methamphetamine 4 Crack Cocaine 16 Used* Powdered Cocaine 6 Drug Prescription Opioids 16 Prescription Stimulants 6 Sedative‐Hypnotics 9 Suboxone 2 Synthetic Marijuana 1 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Number of participants *Some respondents reported multiple drugs of use over the past six months. Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network Page 33 Surveillance of Drug Abuse Trends in the State of Ohio Cincinnati Region Data Sources over the last six months, noting that availability has remained relatively unchanged during this period. BCI&I London crime This regional report was based upon qualitative data lab reported that the number of powdered cocaine cases it collected via focus group interviews. Participants were processes has remained stable. active and recovering drug users recruited from alcohol and other drug treatment programs in Hamilton County. Participant quality scores of powdered cocaine varied from Data triangulation was achieved through comparison ‘2’ to ‘7’ with the most common score being ‘5’ on a scale of participant data to qualitative data collected from of ‘0’ (poor quality, “garbage”) to ‘10’ (high quality). As with regional professionals (i.e., treatment professionals and law availability, the quality of powdered cocaine is said to enforcement) via individual and focus group interviews, vary depending on geographic location within the region. as well as to data surveyed from the Bureau of Criminal Overall, participants reported that the quality of powdered Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) London Office, which cocaine has decreased over the last six months. Many serves central and southern Ohio. The aforementioned participants reported the use of powdered cocaine to “rock secondary data source reported summary data for January up” (i.e., to form, process) crack cocaine to ensure a better to June 2010. Note: OSAM participants were asked to report idea of the quality of the drug they smoke. When describing on drug use/knowledge pertaining to the last six months the quality of powdered cocaine, a participant stated the (i.e., from time of interview through prior six months); thus, following, “Some of it [powdered cocaine] is just garbage ... current secondary data correspond to the current reporting can go to a 9/10 [quality rating], but you gotta get it from the period of participants. In addition to the aforementioned main person.” Participants cited the following substances data sources, the Cincinnati Enquirer, along with other as commonly used to “cut” (i.e., dilute) powdered cocaine: Ohio media outlets, was queried for information regarding B12 vitamins, baby laxative, baby powder, baking soda and regional drug abuse for June 2010 through January 2011. benzocaine (local anesthetic), often referred to as “benzene” by participants. A participant stated that she always knew Powdered Cocaine when there was baby laxative in the cocaine since she, “would Current Trends get high but then have to go to the bathroom right away.” According to BCI&I London crime lab, levamisole (dewormer 10 Powdered cocaine is highly available in the for livestock) is the cutting agent in 90 percent of cases, 9 8 region. Participants most often reported the but other agents like boric acid (found in antiseptics and 7 availability of powdered cocaine as ‘10’ on a insecticides), inositol (vitamin-like health supplement), as well 6 scale of ‘0’ (not available, impossible to get) as, the following local anesthetics of benzocaine, lidocaine, 5 to ‘10’ (high availability, extremely easy to procaine and tropacaine are also used to cut powdered 4 get), with participants reporting geographic cocaine. 3 2 variation in availability, depending on 1 exactly where in the region the drug is being Current street jargon includes many names for powdered sought for purchase. Current availability was cocaine. The most commonly cited names were: “blow,” described by participants as, “Something got “girl,” “powder,” “snow white” and “white girl.” Less common across the border; Can walk up to any corner slang terms include names of White celebrities such as and find it [powdered cocaine]; No dry spells “Britney Spears,” “Paris Hilton” and “Lindsay Lohan.” The price [periods of unavailability] of late.” Law enforcement stated that of powdered cocaine reportedly depends heavily on the Mexican cartels are getting more involved with the trafficking connection the user has with the dealer. Participants reported of powdered cocaine in the U.S., lowering the number of a gram of powdered cocaine currently sells for $25 – $40 if middlemen involved in the transport of the drug into the dealer is known, and $60 – $100 if there is little connection region. Another primary factor that influences availability between the buyer and seller; 1⁄16 ounce, or “teener,” sells is the relationship, or connection, the consumer has to the for $75 – 150; 1⁄8 ounce, or “eight ball,” sells for $150 – $250; dealer. The closer the connection, the less likely there are an ounce sells for $800 – $1,500; and a kilogram of powdered problems getting the drug, and the more likely the consumer cocaine commands $28,000 – $38,000. If a drug consumer is is to receive a good price point. Treatment professionals willing to take the risk of transporting the drug themselves, reported a moderate to high availability of powdered cocaine prices for a kilogram of powdered cocaine are reportedly Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network Page 34 Cincinnati Region Surveillance of Drug Abuse Trends in the State of Ohio Cincinnati Region lower, ranging from $20,000 – $23,000. Several participants any street corner and get it [crack cocaine] in 10 described intranasal inhalation (i.e., snorting) as a common 10 minutes.” Universally, professionals and 9 route of administration for powdered cocaine. This route was participants reported crack cocaine availability 8 7 described as a primary route that “beginners” use, as well as steady, with relatively little change 6 as White professionals and college students. If a “snorter” during the last six months, but a minority of 5 progressed in their drug use, the next step is generally respondents noted that there has been some 4 smoking, and then injecting. The route of administration is, increase over that same period. BCI&I London 3 “All about the preference of the high; shooters shoot [inject], crime lab reported that the number of crack 2 1 snorters snort.” Participants noted that smoking occurs cocaine cases it processes has remained among primary crack cocaine users and “college kids gone stable. bad,” while injection occurs among those individuals that inject drugs generally as a primary route of administration. Participant quality scores of crack cocaine A participant said, “Once a shooter [injector], [you] never varied from ‘1’ to ‘5,’ with the most common go back.” Participants cited the route of administration as score being ‘5’ on a scale of ‘0’ (poor quality, “garbage”) to depending on the usual company that an individual keeps. ‘10’ (high quality). Only one participant stated being able As a participant explained, “Snorters hang with snorters; People to get high quality crack cocaine that would rate ‘10’ on who shoot it [inject powdered cocaine] don’t want to hang out the same scale, stating, “I got heart attack shit.” It was more with people who snort because you feel inferior, it’s [injection] common to hear that the quality was highly variable due to more taboo.” the product being “cut” (i.e., diluted) with other substances. Substances used as cutting agents included those also used The typical user of powdered cocaine was described by to cut powdered cocaine: baby powder, baking soda and many participants as a White, middle- to upper-class benzocaine (local anesthetic). Several participants reported working professional male in his 20’s - 30’s. Professionals also being “fleeced” when attempting to buy crack cocaine. described the average powdered cocaine user as a working Substances being sold as crack cocaine (that contained professional who uses the drug for recreational purposes no cocaine at all) included candle wax, pieces of drywall, rather than daily use, often in the clubs or bars in the region.