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Michigan stands between the major drug markets of Chicago and New York City, connected by a network of interstate highways. Add nearby Canada and two million registered watercrafts in Michigan and Ontario, and you have a recipe for heavy illicit drug activity.

The cities of Detroit, Flint, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo are considered the most highly trafficked drug areas in Michigan. And according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the biggest drug threats are cocaine, heroin, marijuana and MDMA (Ecstasy).

Here are some Michigan drug statistics that may (or may not) surprise you:

  • About 9% of Michigan residents reported past-month illicit drug use compared to the national average of 8%.
  • In 2007, 1,542 people died in The Wolverine State because of drugs. Compare that to 1,229 motor vehicle deaths and 1,095 for firearms.
  • The state ranks 13th in the country for the most persons under 18 arrested for drug abuse violations.
  •  Sixty-one of people incarcerated in Michigan have histories of drugs, alcohol or both.
  • The state ranks 9th in the country for the most DEA arrests.

 

Cocaine Addiction
In Michigan, cocaine, particularly crack cocaine, poses the biggest threat to both law enforcement and public health officials. The violence and property crime associated with the drug is significant. And the number of abusers seeking publicly funded treatment is high.

In 2010, about 3,300 residents were admitted to Michigan addiction treatment centers for cocaine abuse, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Club Drugs Addiction
Club drugs, particularly MDMA (Ecstasy), are abused throughout Michigan, mostly by high school and college students who use these drugs at raves and dance clubs. Abuse by African Americans is increasing, especially in Detroit where it's sold in drug houses along with other drugs. 

Heroin Addiction
Heroin abuse is increasing in many parts of the state. Many heroin users in Michigan started using prescription opioids (OxyContin, Vicodin, etc.) and then switched over to heroin because it's more potent and lower priced.

The number of admissions to Michigan treatment centers for heroin increased 13.6% from 2004 to 2008, according to the National Drug Intelligence Center.

Methamphetamine Addiction
Meth use, abuse and production have dramatically increased since 2005. The number of meth labs seized in Michigan from 2007 to 2009 increased 290%, according to tracking agency, the El Paso Intelligence Center.

Also on the rise is "one-pot" meth production. In this method, meth is produced in a plastic bottle using a common farm fertilizer (anhydrous ammonia) in about 30 minutes. One-pot production accounts for 39% of meth incidents in Michigan.

With this increase in production comes an increase in meth abusers. From 2007 to 2008, the number of individuals in Michigan treatment centers for meth increased by 30%, according to the National Drug Intelligence Center.

Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana is abused more than any other drug in Michigan. Much of the marijuana used is indoor-grown from Canada called B.C. Bud. Because of its higher THC-level, this variety is in increasing demand. Other sources of marijuana are Mexican-grade varieties and locally grown product.

Seizures of marijuana plants in Michigan's drug cities (cited above) more than doubled from 2007 (9,964 kilograms) to 2008 20,950 kilograms).

About 7,600 residents were admitted to Michigan addiction treatment centers for marijuana abuse in 2010, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Prescription Drug Addiction
OxyContin, Vicodin and Xanax are the most often abused prescription drugs. They are acquired from doctor-shopping, copied prescriptions, forged prescriptions, theft and unscrupulous physicians.

To help combat abuse, the state set up the Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) for collecting an individual's prescription use from doctors, dentists, pharmacists, etc. This enables practitioners to monitor their patients' use.

Michigan Drug Laws
In 2008, Michigan passed a medical marijuana act allowing qualified patients to use the drug. Marijuana use and possession without a prescription is a misdemeanor.

Cocaine use is a misdemeanor while cocaine possession is a felony with jail time and fines based on the amount.

Heroin use is a misdemeanor while heroin possession is a felony with jail time and/or fines based on the amount. Sentences are anywhere between four years and life. Fines are between $25,000 and $1 million.

Prescription drugs have similar penalties to heroin for use and possession.

Michigan Addiction Treatment Centers
Michigan has about 500 addiction treatment centers. About 90% are private, either non-profit or for-profit, according to the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. The remaining are federal, state, local and tribal facilities.

About 91% are outpatient treatment programs while the rest are inpatient or hospital programs of varying lengths. Read "Rehabilitation" for more info on the kinds of treatment programs.

In the majority of Michigan treatment centers, you'll find the following treatment approaches:

  • Individual, group and family counseling
  • Case management
  • Substance abuse education
  • Social skills development
  • Mental health services
  • Relapse prevention
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • 12-step facilitation
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Anger management
  • Contingency management
  • Trauma-related counseling
  • After care planning

 

For more information on these approaches, read "12-Step Rehab Programs" and "Alcohol Treatment Center".