Little Rock, the capital city of Arkansas, has been named the drug trafficking capital of the state, facing significant challenges due to the prevalence and impact of illicit drugs. According to a report by the White House, Arkansas had 374 drug-induced deaths in 2010, lower than the national rate, but still a serious concern. The most commonly abused drugs in the state are opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.
The Opioid Crisis
One of the main drivers of the drug problem in Arkansas is the opioid crisis, which has affected millions of Americans across the country. Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription painkillers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as heroin and fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin. Opioids can cause addiction, overdose, and death, especially when mixed with other substances or taken in high doses.
In Arkansas, the number of opioid prescriptions has exceeded the population, with 114.6 prescriptions per 100 people in 2018, the second-highest rate in the nation. The state also saw a 64 percent increase in opioid overdose deaths from 2015 to 2019, with 447 fatalities in the latter year. The majority of these deaths involved fentanyl, which has been smuggled into the state by drug trafficking organizations.
Little Rock has been a major hub for the distribution and consumption of opioids, as well as other drugs, due to its location, population, and infrastructure. The city is situated at the intersection of two major interstates, I-40 and I-30, which connect it to other states and regions. The city also has a large and diverse population of over 200,000 people, with many suffering from poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to health care and treatment. The city also has a network of highways, railways, airports, and bus stations, which facilitate the movement of drugs and money.
The Methamphetamine Menace
Another drug that has plagued Arkansas and Little Rock is methamphetamine, a highly addictive stimulant that can cause severe physical and psychological effects. Methamphetamine is produced in clandestine laboratories, often using household chemicals and pseudoephedrine, a common ingredient in cold and allergy medications. Methamphetamine can also be imported from Mexico, where it is manufactured on a large scale by drug cartels.
In Arkansas, methamphetamine has been the most frequently identified drug in drug-related arrests and seizures, surpassing marijuana and cocaine. The state also had the highest rate of methamphetamine use among adults in the nation in 2017, with 1.4 percent of the population reporting past-year use. The state also had 135 methamphetamine-related deaths in 2019, a 43 percent increase from 2018.
Little Rock has been a major destination and transit point for methamphetamine, as well as a source of local production. The city has seen an influx of methamphetamine from Mexico, especially from the Sinaloa cartel, which has established a presence and influence in the area. The city has also experienced a rise in domestic methamphetamine labs, which pose a threat to public safety and the environment.
The Cocaine Challenge
Cocaine is another drug that has affected Arkansas and Little Rock, although to a lesser extent than opioids and methamphetamine. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that is derived from the coca plant, which is grown primarily in South America. Cocaine can be snorted, injected, or smoked, and can cause euphoria, alertness, and increased energy, as well as paranoia, anxiety, and cardiac problems.
In Arkansas, cocaine has been the third most commonly identified drug in drug-related arrests and seizures, after methamphetamine and marijuana. The state also had 96 cocaine-related deaths in 2019, a 23 percent increase from 2018. Most of these deaths involved cocaine mixed with opioids, such as fentanyl or heroin, which can create a deadly combination.
Little Rock has been a key market and distribution center for cocaine, as well as a transit point for cocaine shipments from Mexico and other states. The city has seen a steady supply of cocaine from Mexican drug trafficking organizations, especially the Gulf cartel, which has a strong presence and network in the area. The city has also witnessed a resurgence of crack cocaine, a cheaper and more potent form of cocaine that is smoked.
The Marijuana Matter
Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the United States, and also in Arkansas and Little Rock. Marijuana is a psychoactive substance that is derived from the cannabis plant, which can grow in various climates and conditions. Marijuana can be smoked, eaten, or vaporized, and can cause relaxation, euphoria, and altered perception, as well as impaired memory, coordination, and judgment.
In Arkansas, marijuana has been the most prevalent drug among adolescents and young adults, with 9.5 percent of the population aged 12 and older reporting past-month use in 2017. The state also had 35 marijuana-related deaths in 2019, a 17 percent increase from 2018. Most of these deaths involved marijuana mixed with other drugs, such as opioids or methamphetamine.
Little Rock has been a major consumer and supplier of marijuana, as well as a transit point for marijuana shipments from Mexico and other states. The city has seen a large amount of marijuana from Mexico, especially from the Sinaloa cartel, which has dominated the market and lowered the prices. The city has also seen an increase in domestic marijuana cultivation, both indoors and outdoors, as well as the emergence of synthetic cannabinoids, which are chemical compounds that mimic the effects of marijuana, but can be more potent and dangerous.
Conclusion
Little Rock, the capital city of Arkansas, has been named the drug trafficking capital of the state, due to its role and involvement in the illicit drug trade. The city has been affected by various drugs, such as opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, which have caused addiction, overdose, and death among its residents. The city has also been a source and destination of drug supply and demand, as well as a conduit for drug trafficking organizations and networks. The city faces a complex and multifaceted challenge, which requires a comprehensive and coordinated response from law enforcement, health care, education, and community sectors.