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Heroin, Cocaine Lead List of Most-used Illicit Drugs in Connecticut

Heroin and crack and powdered cocaine lead the list of most-used illicit drugs in Connecticut, research shows. Price and accessibility are often major drivers in the prevalence of a particular drug in a region, said Katherine Bush, spokeswoman for the Office of National Drug Control Policy. "People who abuse drugs tend to do an internal calculation of which drugs are the most readily available," she said.

According to experts on substance abuse, drug preferences can vary depending on the area of the country. DEA’s National Forensic Laboratory Information System also shows strong variation in drug preferences based on location. In Connecticut, heroin and cocaine are probably strong presences due to proximity to New York, said Jim Siemianowski, spokesman for the state’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Interstate 95, which connects the two states, can be an effective distribution point for drugs. While heroin and cocaine are the most heavily used narcotics in the state, prescription drug abuse is also as a big problem, said Wayne Kowal, public education coordinator for the Connecticut State Police’s Statewide Narcotics Task Force. And prescription drug abuse tends to be a gateway to stronger drugs, particularly heroin, Kowal said. Depending on the level of one's addiction, he said, prescription drugs can add up to $200 to $500 a day, so people switch to heroin, a more economical choice at $5 to $7 a bag.

Learn more: Heroin, Cocaine, Hallucinogens

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