Florida Drug and Alcohol Addiction, Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation
Treatment Situation
Florida has always been a major hub for international drug trafficking and
money laundering organizations. Its location, surrounding geography, large coastline,
short distance to the West Indies and South America and multitude of ethnic
groups has made it a haven for drug trafficking. Florida remains the major thoroughfare
for cocaine and heroin shipment into the northeastern United States and Canada.
Despite the heighten security since 9/11, Miami International Airport still
remains a prime area for smuggling in heroin and MDMA. Once inside Florida,
almost every county has been infiltrated with local drug smugglers and traffickers.
Smuggling in the State occurs via various types automobile, trucks, vans, boats,
cargo freighters and by private and commercial aircraft. Additionally, transportation
via the interstates is a major method of trans-state distribution. The Florida
drug trade is under control of the Mexican and Columbian drug organizations.
All drugs are widely abused in the State, but Methamphetamine is remains the
most cherished.
Cocaine
Addiction
Cocaine remains a common drug of abuse in Florida. The majority of cocaine
is smuggled into the state via the air, sea and interstates. Every type of imaginable
method of transport has been used to being the drug into Florida. Once smuggled
into Florida, the drug is re packaged and shipped to the North East. Much of
the interstate transfer is via automobiles, cars, van, trucks and campers with
secrete hidden compartments.
Much of the cocaine into Florida arrives via the West Indies and brought in
by the Dominicans, Mexicans, and West Indian drug organizations. Large seizures
are common along the Caribbean corridor and vigilance by law enforcement is
at an all time high.
Crack Cocaine is the form preferred by the drug abusers and remains a major
threat to all Florida cities. Associated with crack cocaine, is the gang related
violence, homicides, robberies, inner city crime, poverty and prostitution.
The distribution of crack cocaine throughout Florida is governed by a number
of organizations, including Blacks, Dominicans, Columbians and Mexicans. Much
of the spread of crack cocaine within Florida is done via automobiles. Street
gangs control the distribution of the drug within their territory.
Club
Drugs
Florida is a heaven for club drug usage. It leads the nation in seizures of
MDMA. Florida remains the international hub for shipment of MDMA. The drugs
are brought in from Europe, South America and even the West Indies. Because
of its glamour, night life and club scene, MDMA continues to dominate the drug
scene. It is widely used by college students and party goers. Almost all colleges
in the state are deluged with club drugs. GHB, LSD and PCP are also readily
available in Florida, especially in and around colleges and universities.
With a large tourist population, a large number of club drugs are also shipped,
mailed, or smuggled into other states. Additionally, the annual "spring
break" activities in the panhandle are a prime time for club drugs and
reports indicate that users are becoming younger by the year.
Heroin
Addiction
Heroin is
not the most popular drug but still is readily available throughout the State
of Florida. The price, purity and consistency have remained the same for the
past 2 decades. The majority of heroin comes in from South America and Mexico.
The majority of heroin is then destined for other parts of the country. The
heroin is either shipped in or brought in via air using private couriers.
Most heroin distribution and transportation organizations have ties to Colombia
and New York and are active throughout Florida. Because of the increased vigilance
at airport and interstates, drug traffickers have started to utilize parcel
post to ship drugs across the country.
Once the heroin enters Florida, it is transported via automobiles, buses,
and trains to the northeast United States.
Methamphetamine
Addiction
Methamphetamine remains a major drug of abuse in all parts of Florida. The
drug is smuggled into Florida by Mexican/California drug trafficking organizations
based in California and Texas. Mexican traffickers have become the kingpins
in Florida. The Mexican organizations make use of the large Hispanic population
to help distribute the drug.
Also available is methamphetamine manufactured in clandestine laboratories.
These numerous clandestine are a growing danger because of the explosive chemicals
they use and the environmental pollution that they cause. Recently the Florida
legislature has banned the use of ephedrine in cough mixtures to prevent the
drug manufacturers from getting access to the precursor chemicals.
However, super methamphetamine laboratories have popped all over the country
and are difficult to detect. Recent reports indicate that methamphetamine is
a favored drug within the homosexual community. The primary distribution method
of distributing methamphetamine is via the postal services.
Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana remains a major problem in Florida. The major source of marijuana
is from the West Indies. The drug is usually smuggled in via go-fast boats and
other private ships. In addition, home gown marijuana has also increased recently.
Because of Florida’s temperate climate, this crop is available year around
and grown all over the state.
Marijuana is also smuggled into the state from the neighboring states, Canada,
South America Tex/Mex marijuana is smuggled along Interstate-10 into the Panhandle
and smugglers see this less monitored route to transport the drug. A significant
amount of the marijuana trade is controlled by the West Indies gangs and they
also play a role in shipment of the drug to the Northern USA.
Pharmaceutical
Drugs
Current investigations indicate that diversion of hydrocodone products such
as Vicodin, xanax, methadone, benzodiazepines and oxycodone products such as
OxyContin continues to be a problem in Florida. The major method of obtaining
these drugs is via the internet, illegal sale by physicians/pharmacists, doctor
shopping, forged prescriptions, and employee theft. With a lucrative market,
fake prescriptions have also infiltrated the market.
Money Laundering
Miami is a major center for financial institutions and ranks number one in
the volume of commercial banks and foreign corporations that are chartered by
the Federal Reserve to engage in international banking. Because of the major
drug trafficking that occurs in the state, money laundering has been a major
problem and legislation has passed laws to monitor and govern all financial
transections. The Florida government is well aware of financial transections
that occur and seizures are not uncommon. Most of the seizures of drug money
have been from individuals who leave Florida for South America. The most common
concealment methods were in luggage, clothing and body carrying.
Drug Laws
With the recent explosion in clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, Florida
legislation established the Florida Statewide Methamphetamine Strategy. The
law has helped create regional teams to provide guidance to law enforcement
agencies to improve coordination of clean-up activities and response to clandestine
lab sites. The strategy also establishes a statewide protocol for first responders
and emphasis will be placed on education and training in clandestine laboratory
certification and site safety.
DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams have been developed in response to the overwhelming
problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation.
Since the inception of the MET Program, 473 deployments have been completed
nationwide, resulting in many arrests. In addition, DEA Regional Enforcement
Teams have been designed to augment existing DEA division resources by targeting
drug organizations operating in the United States where there is a lack of sufficient
local drug law enforcement. This Program was conceived in 1999 in response to
the threat posed by drug trafficking organizations that have established networks
of cells to conduct drug trafficking operations in smaller, non-traditional
trafficking locations in the United States.
Florida Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Rehabilitation Categories
