Title:

Kansas Drug Threat Assessment

Publication Date: March 2003

Document ID: 2003-S0389KS-001

Archived on:  January 1, 2006. This document may contain dated information. It remains available to provide access to historical materials.

This report is a strategic assessment that addresses the status and outlook of the drug threat to Kansas. Analytical judgment determined the threat posed by each drug type or category, taking into account the most current quantitative and qualitative information on availability, demand, production or cultivation, transportation, and distribution, as well as the effects of a particular drug on abusers and society as a whole. While NDIC sought to incorporate the latest available information, a time lag often exists between collection and publication of data, particularly demand-related data sets. NDIC anticipates that this drug threat assessment will be useful to policymakers, law enforcement personnel, and treatment providers at the federal, state, and local levels because it draws upon a broad range of information sources to describe and analyze the drug threat to Kansas.

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Contents

Executive Summary

Overview
 Fast Facts

Methamphetamine
  Abuse
  Availability
  Violence
  Production
  Transportation
  Distribution

Cocaine
  Abuse
  Availability
  Violence
  Production
  Transportation
  Distribution

Marijuana
  Abuse
  Availability
  Violence
  Production
  Transportation
  Distribution

Other Dangerous Drugs
  MDMA
  GHB and Analogs
  Hallucinogens
  Diverted Pharmaceuticals

Heroin
  Abuse
  Availability
  Violence
  Production
  Transportation
  Distribution

Outlook

Sources

Chart 1. Number of Methamphetamine Laboratories, Chemicals/Glassware, and Dumpsites Seized, Kansas, 1998-2001

Executive Summary

The production, distribution, and abuse of illicit drugs pose a serious threat to Kansas. Dodge City, Garden City, Liberal, Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita are drug distribution centers in the state and also serve as transit areas for drugs being transported to other states. Mexican criminal groups are the dominant transporters and distributors of illicit drugs in Kansas. Local independent dealers, street gangs, and outlaw motorcycle gangs also distribute drugs in the state.

Methamphetamine is a principal drug threat to Kansas, primarily because of the drug's ready availability as well as the violence and environmental harm that often result from its production and abuse. Methamphetamine produced by Mexican criminal groups in Mexico, California, and southwestern states is the predominant type available in Kansas, although the availability of locally produced methamphetamine is increasing. The number of methamphetamine laboratories seized in Kansas more than quadrupled from 1998 through 2001, and many law enforcement agencies report that they are witnessing an adverse environmental impact from the presence of methamphetamine laboratories. Caucasian local independent producers, who generally use the Birch reduction method, are the primary in-state methamphetamine producers. Mexican criminal groups transport methamphetamine from Mexico, California, and southwestern states to distribution centers in Kansas in private and commercial vehicles. These groups also are the primary wholesale methamphetamine distributors throughout the state. Mexican criminal groups and Caucasian local independent dealers and, to a lesser extent, street gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs distribute methamphetamine at the retail level. Retail distribution of methamphetamine typically occurs at residences, used car dealerships, parking lots, or in bars and restaurants.

Cocaine, particularly crack, poses a significant drug threat to Kansas largely because of crack's highly addictive nature and association with violent crime. Crack cocaine is available primarily in metropolitan areas, and powdered cocaine is available throughout the state. Mexican criminal groups transport powdered cocaine into Kansas from Mexico through California and southwestern states primarily in private and commercial vehicles. These groups also dominate wholesale cocaine distribution throughout the state. Mexican criminal groups, local independent dealers, and street gangs distribute powdered cocaine at the retail level. Retail distributors in Kansas typically convert powdered cocaine into crack on an as-needed basis at or near distribution sites. However, some African American street gangs transport crack cocaine into Kansas from metropolitan areas in surrounding states. African American street gangs and local independent dealers distribute crack cocaine at the retail level. Retail distribution of cocaine commonly is facilitated by pagers, pay phones, and cellular telephones. Retail quantities are distributed on street corners, at bars, or from residences. Crack cocaine distributors and abusers in Kansas commit a wide range of violent crimes, including assault, carjacking, and drive-by shooting.

Marijuana is the most widely available and frequently abused illicit drug in Kansas. Marijuana abuse is associated with more drug-related admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities than any other illicit drug. Most of the marijuana available in the state is produced in Mexico, although some cannabis is cultivated locally. Mexican criminal groups transport marijuana into and through Kansas in private and commercial vehicles. A significant portion of the Mexico-produced marijuana seized in Kansas is destined for other states. Mexican criminal groups and, to a lesser extent, Caucasian local independent dealers are the primary wholesale marijuana distributors in Kansas. Mexican criminal groups, local independent dealers, street gangs, and outlaw motor-cycle gangs also distribute marijuana at the retail level.

Other dangerous drugs pose an increasing threat to Kansas. Other dangerous drugs include the stimulant MDMA; the depressant GHB and its analogs; the hallucinogens LSD, PCP, psilocybin, and ketamine; and diverted pharmaceuticals including opioids (narcotic analgesics) such as codeine, Darvocet, Dilaudid, hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), methadone, oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Percodan), and sedative hypnotics (benzodiazepines) such as Valium and Xanax. Other dangerous drugs are becoming increasingly available in some areas of the state, especially in cities with colleges or universities. Other dangerous drugs are sold primarily by Caucasian local independent dealers and are abused by young adults.

Heroin poses a low threat to Kansas. Mexican black tar heroin and brown powdered heroin are available on a limited basis in metropolitan areas of the state such as Kansas City and Wichita. Mexican criminal groups are the primary transporters of heroin to drug markets in Kansas. Mexican criminal groups, local independent dealers, and street gangs distribute heroin at the retail level.

Addresses

National Drug Intelligence Center
319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901

Tel. (814) 532-4601
FAX (814) 532-4690
E-mail NDIC.Contacts@usdoj.gov

Tel. (703) 556-8970
FAX (703) 556-7807

Web Addresses

ADNET:  http://ndicosa 
      DOJ:  http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/
      LEO:  home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic/ 
     RISS:  ndic.riss.net

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