Ohio illegal drug market report: Prices stable, availability high

Black market Adderall cheap in Columbus, expensive in Cincinnati

Since 2000, the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services has released detailed reports every six months on illegal drug use in Ohio. The reports are unusually comprehensive and objective, providing information on prices, availability, consumer practices and cultural beliefs, all based on interviews with drug users as well as law enforcement and rehab specialists.

Sherba

R. Thomas Sherba, an Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services researcher with a Ph.D. and a master’s in public health, oversees the report.

The latest Surveillance of Drug Abuse Trends in the State of Ohio was released today. Some highlights from the 210-page report, which covers January-June 2017.

Prohibited drugs widely available. Illegal drugs are easy to get throughout the state and availability of most drugs is increasing most places. The report does not speculate on the effectiveness of Ohio’s increasing enforcement of drug prohibition.
Fentanyl in cocaine confirmed. “Cocaine users overdosing because of fentanyl cut,” the report says on its first page, describing what’s happening in Toledo. The report says Cincinnati police reported four or five deaths in a weekend from “cocaine” that was actually fentanyl. (Cocaine-fentanyl combinations are now found in the blood of overdose victims more often than heroin-fentanyl.)
Viivitrol causing users to switch to meth and cocaine. Vivitrol, a heavily marketed drug of questionable effectiveness, is common in Ohio drug courts. It prevents the pleasurable effects of opioids. While on injected Viviitrol, drug users switch to meth and cocaine, especial crystal meth and crack cocaine, which are smoked.
Marijuana prices stable. The cost of an ounce of marijuana in Ohio ranges from $100 to $300, depending on quality. Users report high satisfaction with marijuana quality — generally relating quality a “10” — partly because customer-pleasing strains are grown legally in other states and brought to Ohio.

The report does not speculate on where in the supply chain fentanyl and cocaine are being mixed combined. However, the report says some users use the drugs together to create a “speedball” effect that combines feelings generated by opioids and stimulants. Some users also use sedatives to calm down after a night of cocaine use, partying often combined with drinking alcohol.

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