Substance Abuse Trends In Texas 2019 (PDF)
Highlights
- Methamphetamine is the top drug threat reported by the three DEA Field Divisions that cover Texas.
- Methamphetamine and cocaine problems continue to increase, with no FDA-approved Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) available
- The Texas Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) and overdose prevention programs have led to decreases in the number of other opiate, synthetic narcotic, and benzodiazepine drugs prescribed. The Texas PMP was moved from the state law enforcement agency to the pharmacy board in 2016.
- Heroin indicators are mixed. Since fentanyl cannot be easily mixed with gummy black tar heroin, the combination has not resulted in the number of deaths with heroin and fentanyl as in the Northeast. Fentanyl remains a concern about deaths involving other drugs, including speedballs. The number of tramadol pills identified in toxicological laboratories continue to rise.
- In the past, cannabis indicators had involved monitoring the quantity and quality of the drug imported from Mexico. Now, cannabis indicators focus on effects of CBD oils, edibles, and other products brought in from states where they are legal.
- The State’s response to the opioid epidemic has resulted in additional outreach and training to prevent overdoses, but changes in use patterns will require monitoring. Of the drugs used in Medication Assisted Treatment in Texas, the amount of methadone dosage per 100,000 used has dropped while the amount of buprenorphine has increased, although there is increased need for MAT.
Previous Substance Abuse Trends in Texas (all in PDF): 2018, October 2017, August 2016, June 2015, June 2014, June 2013, June 2012, June 2011, June 2010, June 2009, June 2008, June 2007, January 2006, June 2006, January 2005, June 2005, June 2004, June 2003, December 2003, June 2002, December 2002, June 2001, December 2001, June 2000, December 2000, June 1999, December 1999, June 1998, December 1998, June 1997, December 1997, June 1996, December 1996, June 1995, December 1995.
Substance Use Reports and Trainings
- Brief report on the current epidemic of drug poisoning deaths, 2014 (PDF)
- MDMA/Molly/Ecstasy–Warning, 2014: “Molly” initially referred to ecstasy pills with high quality MDMA powder. After the MDMA shortage several years ago, the capsules were more likely to contain caffeine, methamphetamine, & methylone with little MDMA. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction issued a warning in February 2014 that “dangerously high” levels of MDMA were appearing in Europe. MDMA tablets in the Europe in 2012 contained 60 – 100 mg of MDMA, but tablets containing 150 and 200 mg of MDMA are were available in February 2014 and the warning stated they could contain even higher amounts, e.g. 240 mg. Deaths due to potent levels of MDMA have been reported in New York City at a music festival last summer and a recent death in Austin involved MDMA.
- Training: “Will they turn you into a zombie?” What clinicians need to know about synthetic drugs (second edition), 2013. Download the Trainer Guide (PDF), Slide presentation (PPTX), and Reference List (PDF).
- Synthetic Drug Training Package, 2013
- Leaning on Syrup: The Misuse of Opioid Cough Syrup in Houston, 1999 (PDF): With the increased recent interest in this form of substance abuse, Leaning on Syrup is one of the earliest publications that describes the phenomenon. The original purple color came from the color of promethazine cough syrup. Variations of “syrup” are avaialble at liquor stores and “relaxation” soft drinks (purple colored, without alcohol but containing ingredients such as melatonin, valerian root, rose hips) are available, without age restrictions, at some drug stores and convenience stores.
- Information on Cheese Heroin in Dallas, 2007 (PDF)
- Abuse of Prescription Drugs, 2006 (PDF)
- Patterns of Club Drug Use in the U.S., 2004 (PDF)
- Implications of Research for Treatment: Methamphetamine, 2005 (PDF)
- Links to Methamphetamine Treatment Materials (PDF)
- Implications of Research for Treatment: Ecstasy (PDF)
- Implications of Research for Treatment: GHB (PDF)
- Implications of Research for Treatment: Ketamine (PDF)
- Implications of Research for Treatment: Rohypnol (PDF)