›› West Virginia: Drug Climate

Largely rural, West Virginia's most pronounced drug problems involve the abuse and clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine, marijuana consumption and cultivation, and pharmaceutical drug diversion and abuse. Cocaine, crack, and MDMA are available in most areas of the state.

• Cocaine
  Cocaine and crack cocaine are widely available in most West Virginia cities. Crack cocaine abuse generally remains confined to low and low-middle income individuals, but crosses all ethnic lines. Source areas for cocaine are more varied than for other drugs consumed in the state and are largely based on the trafficker's location within West Virginia.
• Heroin
  Both the demand for and the availability of heroin are very limited throughout West Virginia. The heroin sold in West Virginia typically retains the street/brand name and packaging of the Philadelphia or Baltimore-area supplier.
• Meth
  Clandestine methamphetamine laboratory activity in West Virginia has increased threefold in the past several years. Meth distributors in West Virginia often share Mexican sources of supply with distributors in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley region.
• Club Drugs
  There is increased demand for Ecstasy (MDMA) throughout West Virginia, but abuse remains fairly concentrated near Morgantown, the location of West Virginia University. Because of West Virginia's remote terrain, the area is purported to host numerous private "rave" parties.
• Marijuana
  Both imported and locally-cultivated marijuana pose a serious drug threat in West Virginia. West Virginia consistently ranks in the top ten states for marijuana eradication.