Carolinas See Decline in Illegal-Drug Availability October 31, 2001
News Summary
With tighter security along U.S. borders as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, several counties in North and South Carolina are reporting a drop in the supply of illegal drugs, the Charlotte Observer reported Oct. 28."The border is locked down pretty hard right now, harder than it's been in many years," said Police Sgt. Chris LaCarter of Hickory. "It's harder to get the drugs across in the conventional ways."
With declining supplies of cocaine, crack, and marijuana, officials in several counties are concerned that prices for the drugs will skyrocket, forcing drug users to steal more to support their addictions. Other counties report that drug users are turning to prescription drugs and methamphetamine, which can be made inexpensively with over-the-counter drugs and other accessible products.
In addition to the city of Hickory, Union and Rowan counties and the South Carolina counties of York, Lancaster, and Chester are among the areas that are starting to see a change in the availability and/or price of drugs.
LaCarter said the price of illegal drugs has increased 11 percent in the city. In York County, the bulk price of 9 ounces of cocaine rose from $7,000 to $8,000. In Chester County, $20 used to buy 0.14 grams of crack. Today, users can only buy 0.04 grams for the same price.
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