›› Hawaii: Drug Climate

Crystal meth (ice), cocaine HCl, crack cocaine, heroin, marijuana,and predatory drugs are the major threats in Hawaii. Airline passengers, shipping companies and the U.S. postal service are the primary means for transporting drugs into the state.

• Cocaine
  Cocaine is Hawaii’s third greatest drug threat. Prices are moderate and supply is plentiful. Powdered and crack cocaine are connected with criminal activities such as assaults, homicides, and child abuse/neglect cases. Pacific Islanders and local organizations transport and convert the powder cocaine into crack and distribute the cocaine for retail sale through street gangs. Cocaine is frequently used with other drugs such as alcohol, heroin and/or marijuana. Cocaine is often also distributed with other drugs. Cocaine on the Big Island is popular and readily available. Crack cocaine is also abundant. Crack is usually converted as needed, an ounce or two at a time. Hawaii reports that crack is sold in Honolulu streets, bars, and game rooms by San Francisco-based gangs, African-Americans, Samoans, and locals.
• Heroin
  Most of the heroin in Hawaii is black tar heroin, although Southeast Asian heroin is also smuggled in, mainly by Mexican heroin trafficking groups.
• Meth
  Crystal methamphetamine (ice) is the primary drug threat in Hawaii . Hawaii has the highest per capita ice use in the nation. Experts unanimously attribute the high crime rate (mainly property crimes) in Hawaii tp drugs. High purity ice, over 95 percent pure, is readily available throughout the state. Ice abuse and associated violent crimes, including child neglect, domestic abuse, hostage situations, and homicides continue to increase across the entire island state. Pound quantities of ice are smuggled from the southwest regions of the U.S. by couriers, parcel services, and U.S. Postal Service. Local addicts can buy ice from many sources, since small dealers are abundant throughout the state. Most of the meth lab seizures in Hawaii are small “conversion” laboratories.
• Club Drugs
  Abuse of club drugs, including GHB, MDMA, and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), is increasing among Hawaii’s youth and the large military population stationed in Hawaii, particularly those attracted to dance clubs, raves, and bars.
• Marijuana
  Marijuana is Hawaii’s second most significant drug threat and is increasingly used among Hawaii’s youth. Hawaiian grown cannabis contains some of the highest tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the country. Although the primary supply is produced locally, “BC BUD” from Canada is increasingly smuggled into the Continental U.S. and Hawaii.
  
  Hawaii remains the major U.S. producer of high-grade cultivated marijuana. Home-grown marijuana remains a staple for local demand and for export to the mainland. Medical marijuana certificates permit local users to cultivate several plants at their residences for personal consumption. Marijuana is abundant, and use is perceived by the local population as normal. Marijuana is frequently found in public schools (grades 6-12) in Hawaii.
• Other Drugs
  Diversion of pharmaceutically controlled substances continue to be propagated by employees who steal from the drug inventory, doctor shoppers, prescription fraud, including forgeries and other types of prescription falsification, and physicians who indiscriminately prescribe and write prescriptions for reasons other than legitimate medical purposes. Hydrocodone is one of the most abused pharmaceutical drugs in Hawaii, ranging from $3-$9 per tab on the street. OxyContin continues to be cited by Hawaii as some of the most abused and highly sought after pharmaceutical drugs in their areas.