Top Drug Threats in Alaska
Information provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Alaska Division
Cocaine
Cocaine is derived from the coca plant which is grown in various Andean nations in South America. Cocaine is transported via the Caribbean and/or Mexico and then makes its way through the Continental United States and on to Alaska. Due to the extremely high prices that distributors and dealers can get from their customers cocaine trafficking remains a problem in Alaska. Cocaine is a fast acting stimulant, but has a short duration. This drug induces a euphoria-like feeling but quickly disappears after the cocaine level in the blood drops. This is what users experience as the "cocaine crash". Prolonged use of cocaine causes many physical & psychological problems. The effect of this drug on adults and children runs the spectrum from bankruptcy, addiction, health conditions, ruining families, jail time and death.
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Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine manufacturing is one of the largest illicit drug threats in Alaska, and continues to grow. An increasing number of "meth" labs are being discovered throughout the state and an increase in mobile labs have surfaced over the last two years, showing up in places such as motels, trailers and car trunks. Methamphetamine is also manufactured in larger labs in Mexico and Southern California and then is transported and distributed in Alaska. Chronic abuse of methamphetamines can produce many severe physical & mental problems. People suffer from delusions, visual & auditory hallucinations, violent behavior, severe addiction, toxic poisoning, and death. Meth labs release pollutants into the atmosphere and contaminate any building were it is being cooked. Meth labs can cause explosions & fires due to mixing chemicals and loss of property happens often, due to a "Meth" lab blowing up. Families are affected by Meth in a variety of ways; children are found living in homes with Meth labs which is extremely dangerous and the use of Meth by parent’s leads to the destruction of the family at all levels.
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Oxycontin
The latest trend in diverted drugs in Alaska is the illegal use of Oxycontin (oxycodone), a prescription pain reliever. The pharmacological effects make it a suitable substitute for heroin. It is used for relieving moderate to moderately severe pain. Recently in Alaska, there has been a marked increase in reported forged prescriptions specifically for Oxycontin. The tablets are either chewed or crushed to be inhaled or injected to get an immediate effect. This substance is highly addictive and can cause drowsiness, confusion, nausea, & vomiting. It can also decrease heart rate and blood pressure, which can be life threatening. Users will go to many lengths to attain the high that this synthetic drug offers. These lengths include, robbery, forgery, diminished health, jail time, loss of family and even death.
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Marijuana
Marijuana remains the most pervasive & illicit drug threat in the state of Alaska. A vast number of people grow their own marijuana, sometimes for personal use and sometimes on a commercial scale (more than 25 plants). The effects of marijuana can vary considerably from individual to individual. The greater the amount of THC ingested, the more pronounced & varied the high. Some effects include, reduced ability to concentrate, impaired short-term memory & judgment, and feelings of sudden anxiety & panic. Marijuana has also been called a "gateway" drug, meaning that use of this drug can lead to experimenting with and/or use of other stronger drugs.
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Ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, GBL & other Club Drugs
These drugs are becoming a growing threat in Alaska. One factor affecting Ecstasy demand is the "rave" parties, mainly in the Anchorage & Fairbanks areas. MDMA causes the release of large quantities of dopamine into the brain. This creates an amphetamine-like stimulation that enables "ravers" to dance for extended periods of time without tiring. Causes of death were contributed to heatstroke, brought on by dancing for extended periods of time without replacing lost body fluids. Some of the most common short term physical effects are dryness of mouth, increased blood pressure, body temperature & heart rate. Muscle tension, nausea, sweating and teeth grinding. The psychological effects of MDMA are much more pronounced than the physical effects. Altered perception of time, change in visual perception, loss of self-consciousness, relaxed feelings and increased openness can often lead to a person becoming unaware of their surroundings and being taken advantage of.
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Conclusion
The effects of these highly addictive and dangerous drugs are so numerous, they could not all be listed on one single sheet of paper. These drugs rip families apart, destroy finances, cause confusion, and breed mistrust. People will fight, hurt and even kill, if their dependence on or addiction to, a drug becomes strong enough. People will sell all they have including themselves, to chase the high that drugs give them, only to end up with nothing. Drugs like cocaine, crack and heroin are highly addictive and can alter an individual’s entire personality or end their life. Children and families are directly effected by drug use when children use and abuse drugs themselves and when parents use and abuse drugs. With the onset of synthetic drugs (club drugs & methamphetamines) becoming prevalent in the state of Alaska, it’s taking a toll on our youth. Parents need to be aware of the signs and symptoms to keep their children/teens safe and use knowledge and communication to deter their experimentation and/or use of these drugs. Becoming educated and being aware are the first steps that will lead to our success in the war against drugs.
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