There is talk that Michigan’s casinos are opening the doors to organized crime, involving drug trafficking within its borders. There are different views on this idea. Michigan casinos do bring a lot of people together, but the casino organizations, themselves, do not traffic drugs. Of course, when you get a lot of people together that have the access to large sums of money, you will be more apt to find illicit activities, such as drugs, prostitution, etc. So, because of this, the casinos in Michigan may in fact promote these types of illegal activities, just by the gathering of these wealthy and promiscuous individuals.

The elements that gambling and drugs, as well as prostitution have in common are as follows:

•    Power

Gambling, drugs, and prostitution all give people a short term feeling of being powerful and “on top of the world”. They are all “highs”, but their fascinations can be addictive and can lead to a life of destructive vices.

•    Wealth

People who engage in gambling, prostitution, and drug use all need large sums of money. When this money runs out, many times illegal actions are used to recoup the money.

•    Self Esteem

Many individuals who participate in these vices do so to build up their self- esteem.

It is not really correct in saying that casinos themselves promote illicit activities, such as drug trafficking, etc, however the individuals who frequent these places are more likely to get caught up in the glamour, glitz, and drama where illicit activities occur. Parties and get – tog ethers in the luxurious casino rooms quite frequently warrant drug use. There is no problem in Michigan of obtaining drugs, due to its accessibility to highways, airways, waterways, and railways. Since Michigan borders on the Canadian International border, it is not difficult to traffic drugs into and out of the state. Although, local, state, as well as federal authorities are monitoring the transportation and use of drugs in Michigan, its proximity makes it a very difficult job! However, law enforcement is determined to reduce drugs within its state, and one way that they are doing so is by working with casino management to “crack down” on the suspicion of drug use and/ or abuse within the walls of the casinos. This seems to be helping, although only time will tell!