Illinois Drug Abuse, Addiction and Treatment and Rehabilitation Situation
Illinois has always been a hub for drug traffickers. Chicago is ideally located
for receiving and shipping drugs along the entire Midwest and North east. The
multifaceted transportation communications, the busiest airport in the nation
and a multitude of interstates cross the state, has made Illinois is a favorite
among drug organizations. Besides the rail system, transfer of drugs along the
interstates remains a common method of drug transfer.
Drug trafficking is chiefly done by the Mexican Cartels but other organizations
include the Columbians, Nigerians, Jamaicans and the Asians also play an important
role. In addition, gangs with their own territory are located all over the state
and play a significant role in the drug trade. Besides drug trafficking, these
gangs are involved in major crimes, including homicides, prostitution, money
laundering and social upheaval in the communities.
Cocaine
Addiction
Cocaine is supplied in large quantities by the Mexicans on a regular basis.
The majority of cocaine is smuggled in via the interstates in trucks. Once in
Chicago, the cocaine is rapidly packaged in smaller parcels and then districted
throughout the state and as far as New York City and Philadelphia.
Heroin
Addiction
Heroin from Mexico, SE Asia and South America is widely available in the state.
Once the domain of the Mexican cartels, today, the Nigerians and Jamaicans also
play a pivotal role in the distribution of heroin in Illinois. Columbian drug
lords have recently established strongholds in parts of Chicago and play a major
role in smuggling of heroin into the State. The wide availability of heroin
has led to a decrease in heroin prices. However, together with the lower prices
has been a decrease n the quality and potency of heroin.
Methamphetamine
Addiction
Addiction to Methamphetamine is both smuggled in to the state via the Mexicans
and locally made in clandestine laboratories. The Mexican drug cartels smuggle
in large quantities into Illinois from Texas, California and Mexico. Once in
the major cities, the distribution is controlled by violent gangs who are very
territorial.
The state has also seen an explosion of methamphetamine laboratories. The drug
is made in many rural areas from chemicals obtained from pharmacies, agriculture
stores and from the chemical industry. Despite a government ban on the sell
of ephedrine from cough products, the proliferation of meth laboratories is
at an all time high.
Club
Drugs
Being a major cosmopolitan and an international trade destination, Chicago
has become a major source for club drug usage. All types of club drugs are readily
available in Chicago and include MDMA (ecstasy), GHB, Ketamine, and PCP. Chicago
is also the leading distributor of club drugs across the Midwest. Locally, Chicago
serves as a primary source area for club drugs distributed throughout the colleges
and schools.
Money Laundering
Associated with drug trafficking is money laundering. Chicago’s status
as a major financial capital has also made it a major source of illegal laundering
of these finances. Money laundering has been exploited in various businesses
such as night clubs, bars, restaurants, real estate and automobiles. Large sums
of money are also transported back to Mexico hidden in various compartments
in trucks and automobiles.
The state Government now regularly monitors all money transections, wire transfers,
ATM deposits and have the authority to freeze bank accounts of suspicious individuals.
Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana is the most widely available and used illicit drug in Illinois.
The marijuana control is with the Mexico-based poly-drug trafficking organizations
who transport and ship the drug into and out of the State. The marijuana is
principally smuggled in trucks with legitimate goods on board. Mexican trafficking
cells operating in the Chicago area are often composed of extended family members
of associates who make up small gangs in the communities. In addition, local
marijuana is being increasingly cultivated in both outdoor and indoor sites.
Pharmaceutical
Drugs
The diversion of legitimate pharmaceuticals is a significant problem in Illinois.
Prescription drugs such as hydrocodone, Vicodin, oxycodone products such as
OxyContin®, and pseudoephedrine continue to be a problem in Illinois. Primary
methods of diversion being reported are illegal sale and distribution by physicians/pharmacists,
“doctor shopping” and via the internet. Benzodiazepines, methylphenidate,
and methadone continue to be among the most commonly abused drugs in Illinois.
Substance
Abuse Prevention
To counter the drug problem, DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams were established
in response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns
and cities across the nation. In addition DEA Regional Enforcement Teams have
been designed to augment existing DEA division resources by targeting drug organizations
operating in the United States where there is a lack of sufficient local drug
law enforcement.
Drug Courts
To speed up drug related crimes, there are currently 15 drug courts in existence
in Illinois. Despite being a leading advocate for medical marijuana use for
the past 30 years, legislation has still not been approved by the courts. Several
of the state's top newspapers have endorsed medical marijuana.
The majority of drug offenders in prison in Illinois are African-Americans.
This number highlights the problem of Illinois’ drug enforcement strategy
as the state leads the nation in racially disproportionate incarceration of
African-American and Hispanic drug offenders. In 2000, numerous children of
color were transferred to adult court for drug crimes. The Illinois government
has done little to stop the race-based incarceration of thousands of minority
drug offenders.
The 2000 court case, Chavez v. Illinois State Police, demonstrated that Hispanic
(even though they comprise only 8% of population) motorists were frequently
targeted (30% of total) by police – using the “Valkyrie” drug
interdiction force for discretionary driving offenses. The same lawsuit revealed
that African-Americans were also targeted more than any race for trivial offenses
by the “Valkyrie” unit. Recently legislation was introduced mandating
racial sensitivity training for officers and data collection during traffic
stops.
Another major problem for the Illinois drug users has been the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Since 1981, Illinois has ranked seventh in the nation in HIV infection. Recently
a new bill was passed that allowed pharmacies to sell syringes without a prescription.
Illinois Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Rehabilitation Categories
