›› Pennsylvania: Drug Climate

Drug Situation: Pennsylvania presents an opportunistic area for wide-scale narcotics transshipment and distribution. Most trafficking and distribution is accomplished by a variety of Hispanic and African-American organizations scattered throughout the state.

• Cocaine
  Cocaine as well as crack cocaine, remains widely available in Pennsylvania. Crack cocaine use continues to infiltrate a variety of neighborhoods in both urban and rural areas of the state, crossing both economic and ethnic lines.
• Heroin
  Heroin remains widely available throughout Pennsylvania. While the primary sources are based in New York City, heroin is also smuggled directly into Philadelphia from Colombia via transshipment points including Aruba, Mexico, and other Caribbean locations.
• Meth
  Historically, meth was reported to be readily available in Pennsylvania, used primarily in the Philadelphia area. While methamphetamine remains available at the wholesale and retail levels, the overall availability seems to have decreased as a result of the dismantling of several clandestine laboratories.
• Club Drugs
  Ecstasy remains readily available in Pennsylvania, primarily at rave parties and nightclubs. Usage among high school and college students continues to be a concern to law enforcement.
• Marijuana
  Historically, the forests of northwestern Pennsylvania were considered areas for marijuana cultivation. At the retail level, Hispanic, African-American, and Caucasian groups, along with some dominant Jamaican organizations, continue to control the marijuana market in Pennsylvania.