(U) 2013 National Level STRIDE Price and Purity Data DEA Intelligence Report DEA-DCW-DIR-068-15 SEPTEMBER 2015 Heroin Methamphetamine Cocaine 1
Overview The following charts provide an update on national level price and purity data for cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin over the time period January 2007 through December 2013. The price and purity information was derived from the System to Retrieve Information From Drug Evidence (STRIDE), a database of drug exhibits sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) laboratories from the DEA, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the United States Coast Guard (USCG), and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). STRIDE is not a representative sample of drugs available in the United States, but reflects all evidence submitted to DEA laboratories for analysis. STRIDE data is not collected to reflect national market trends. The information contained in this report presents a statistical analysis of undercover drug purchases only, and when viewed in conjunction with investigative information, reflects the best information currently available on changes in the price and purity of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin. Drug prices are quoted as price per gram pure (PPG), and should not be interpreted as the actual street price for each drug (refer to Figures 1,2, and 3). The PPG reflects the price of the drug sample divided by the pure weight, expressed in grams. Additionally, the PPG provides a constant over time, so that prices of samples of differing weights and purity can be compared. In 2014, the DEA Laboratory System replaced the STRIDE database, a legacy data system, and initiated the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). As such, the 2013 National Level STRIDE Price and Purity Report will be the final report reflecting drug evidence information analyzed under STRIDE. All future price and purity reports will reflect data collected and analyzed under LIMS. 2
(U) Figure 1: All Cocaine Purchases Domestic STRIDE Data January 2007 - December 2013 Source: DEA Note: The adjusted price and purity figures plotted above are expressed as standardized values, in proportion to the overall distribution of seizures by amount purchased. Analysis of STRIDE data indicates that from January 2007 through December 2013, the price per pure gram of cocaine increased 96.7 percent, from $98 to $193, while the purity decreased 33.4 percent from 67.1 percent to 44.7 percent. 3
(U) Figure 2: All Methamphetamine Purchases Domestic STRIDE Data July 2007 - December 2013 Source: DEA Note: The adjusted price and purity figures plotted above are expressed as standardized values, in proportion to the overall distribution of seizures by amount purchased. Analysis of STRIDE data indicates that from July 2007 through December 2013, the price per pure gram of methamphetamine decreased 74.5 percent from $275.76 to $70.37, while the purity increased 143.1 percent from 38.7 percent to 94 percent. 4
(U) Figure 3: All Heroin Purchases Domestic STRIDE Data October 2007 - December 2013 Source: DEA Note: The adjusted price and purity figures plotted above are expressed as standardized values, in proportion to the overall distribution of seizures by amount purchased. Analysis of STRIDE data indicates that from October 2007 through December 2013, the price per pure gram of heroin increased 10.1 percent from $564 to $621, while the purity decreased 7.4 percent from 40.5 percent to 37.5 percent. (U) This product was prepared by the DEA Intelligence Programs Section. Comments and questions may be addressed to the Chief, Analysis and Production Section at dea.onsi@usdoj.gov. 5
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