Latest News
Michigan’s Most Popular Illicit Drugs
Michigan’s drug problem is one that is ongoing. When state law enforcement teams seem to get a grip on one drug, another one pops up. It is frustrating; however the state of Michigan is consistent and does not give up! This is why the law enforcement teams of Michigan are knowledgeable about the various street drugs that pose a problem to its residents. The following drugs are the ones that cause a direct threat to its residents:
• Marijuana
Although, marijuana is not an addictive drug, it is known as a “gateway” drug. Many of its users tend to go onto more intense illicit substances after a period of time.
• Oxycontin
Oxycontin is known as “Hillbilly Heroin”. It a type of “bean” and can be administered by “sniffing it” or “shooting it”. It is highly addictive after only one or two uses. Since physicians prescribe this to patients, it is quite easy to obtain.
• Heroin
Heroin is known as “the real thing”! It is about the most addictive of all drugs. It can be purchased in “stamps”. These packets consist of small square pieces of wax paper folded two times and stamped with a colorful design. These illustrations also have texts that include some of the following:
- All Star
- Purple City
- No Limit
- Green Needle
- Frank Lucas
These images with enticing texts are designed to motivate and/ or encourage the use of this substance, although for those addicts not much persuasion is needed. The “Frank Lucas” stamps are the most popular, since they symbolize the use of heroin that was portrayed in the gangster movie that has influenced many individuals, thus encouraging the use of this illicit substance. Stamps can also be bought in “buns”, which is equal to 10 stamps, or bricks comparable to 50 stamps. The price of each brick totals $375 to $ 400.
In conclusion, Michigan’s proximity to highways, waterways, railways, and airways makes it a perfect state for the trafficking of drugs. All of the above illicit drugs are posing a threat to not only the safety of the residents Michigan, but also its welfare. The law enforcement officials are dedicated in decreasing this illegal behavior and are making progress, however it will be a lengthy process!
The Types of Illicit Substances Found in Michigan
Michigan is a state that is in close propinquity with the modes of transportation that make it accessible for the trafficking and/or smuggling of illicit and harmful drugs. Waterways, highways, airways, railways, and its nearness to the Canadian international border make Michigan the perfect state to conduct drug businesses. State officials are working with federal law enforcement agencies to “bust” these operations, however this is a lengthy procedure and sometimes does not actually accomplish as much success as intended. The following are the most popular drugs sold within the state of Michigan:
Marijuana
Marijuana, although used for medical purposes, in some locations, is an illegal drug that is referred to as the “gateway drug”. It is thought to lead to other illicit substances after a while. Michigan officials feel that this drug is the beginning to a bad “way of life” for its citizens.
- Oxycontin
Although Oxycontin is a prescribed medicine, it is not only obtained through prescriptions, but can also be found on the streets. Individuals who visit their doctors and have excess of this medicine sometimes sell their left- over pills for money. This is how Oxycontin 1st became popular in the illicit world of drugs. Oxycontin is considered to be the next best thing to heroin, giving much the same rush. This opiate is sometimes called “Hillbilly heroin”, due to its similar effect. Oxycontin can be sniffed or shot, whichever desired. Of course, when using a needle, the possibility of not only addiction, but also dangerous diseases, like Aids, Hepatitis C, among others pose an immediate threat to its users, since many of these persons share needles and other unhealthy and unclean habits.
- Heroin
Heroin, one of the most addictive and intense of all illicit substances, is quite the trend in Michigan today. This opiate can “hook” an individual after just one use. Sold in stamps, this packet of heroin is in powder form. It is folded twice in wax paper and stamped to properly seal it. These stamps are made to entice users even more than their addiction provides. A few of the most popular stamps are as follows:
- Frank Lucas ( From the gangster movie where heroin was glamorized)
- Green Needle
- Purple City
- All Star
All in all, Michigan is worried about these illicit drugs and is busy finding ways in which to curtail their use.
The Ways that Hard Core Drugs can be Reduced in Michigan
Michigan’s crime and fatality cases have increased over the years. The government officials have concluded that increase in population is one contributing factor, whereas other aspects include drug and alcohol abuse. There are 4 ways that drugs, as well as alcohol addiction, can be reduced as follows;
1) Prevention
With prevention, comes education. All ages must be taught the dangers and harm that the abuse and/ or overuse of drugs and alcohol can do to one’s body and life, in general. Michigan officials are beginning these programs as early as grade school age students. Through awareness programs, students can learn to become conscious of the ways in which they can be enticed to participate in drug and alcohol abuse. They are taught about binge drinking, and the “party scene” involving drugs. Since marijuana is known as the gateway drug, they are educated on the ways that it can lead to more intense and addictive drugs. The state of Michigan is committed to its preventive programs, because it is felt that this is the key to the decrease of illicit substances.
2) Treatment
For those already addicted individuals, treatment centers that are located throughout Michigan are recommended. These facilities are licensed clinics that see patients on a regular basis.
3) Life After Addiction
Michigan is proud of its support groups. They help cure and/ or treat individuals to avoid relapses. “Staying on the right track” is one goal that these groups focus upon.
4) Punishment
Punishment is a good way in which to help warn those persons to not engage in these illicit and/ or illegal activities. Staying out of prison is a great motivational tool to avoid engaging in illegal activities that stem from addiction.
Michigan’s close proximity to the Canadian border, along with its accessible highways, waterways, and railways make this state the perfect candidate for drug trafficking and partying leading to alcohol binging. Although its law enforcement teams are on a mission to “stop” these undesired activities, it is a difficult and lengthy process. Michigan, however, is focused on helping its society to live in abstinence of these evils.
Michigan is on the Way in Curing its Addicts
Michigan seems to have a drug problem partly, due to its accessibility to all major highways, waterways, airways, railways, and Canada’s international border. The trafficking of drugs is just so easy to get into and out of this state.
The trend right now is leaning toward the illicit drugs of Oxycontin and heroin. Both drugs are opiates which have a very fast rate of addiction. This is the reason that treatment must be administered by centers that specialize in such drugs.
Michigan has treatment centers that administer two types of drug rehab therapies, as follows:
1. Methadone
This was the first drug used to wean addicts off of opiates, such as Oxycintin and/ or heroin. The main problem with methadone is that other drugs can be taken on top of it, without even overdosing. Of course, the addict must be careful, as to the drugs that will not cause an overdose. This is not permitted, however some of the individuals undergoing treatments cannot fight their urges. Since drug tests are administered randomly and often, some still take the risk of getting caught and terminated from the program.
2. Seboxin
With Seboxin any drug taken in addition to it will make the addicted individuals very sick, which is a discouraging factor for these people. This greatly helps in having an outside factor to keep them from taking additional street drugs.
Recovering addicts who are participating in this treatment must visit a center, such as this, seven days a week. Here nurses give them their dose, where they are counseled and seen periodically by the physician on duty. Team meetings are required, so that they can be advised on the ways to live life without drugs, thus preventing a relapse. For those individuals who are in compliance, take home doses may be given for holidays or even on a more regular basis, depending on the severity of the addiction, as well as the duration of enrollment in the program. Michigan has faith in these programs, and is serious about curing its already addicted opiate residents. It is only a matter of time, until Michigan’s drug problem greatly decreases.
Toll-free Helpline
