Map created by Simon Garnier, http://graphzoo.tumblr.com/.

Information from the Drug Enforcement Administration finds that clandestine drug labs have infiltrated the entire state of Indiana, as well as much of the Midwest. Although the state saw a slight decrease in the number of drug labs found over the last 3 years, overall, federal government data shows northern Indiana and southern Michigan have an especially severe drug problem.

While methamphetamine drug labs are most common in the Midwest, a 2013 National Drug Threat Assessment Summary issued by the DEA also found that, “The trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs continue to constitute a dynamic and challenging threat to the United States. Controlled Prescription Drug abuse (is) the nation’s fastest growing drug problem.”

Among the problem drugs are prescription pain medications and, since 2012, the increase in heroin use. The DEA says the heroin problem is the result of heroin production in Mexico and Mexican traffickers expanding into markets in the eastern and midwest United States.

Heroin enters the brain very quickly so it is highly addicting. Heroin abusers will feel a state of euphoria followed by a state of sleep and wakefulness, according to DEA information. With heroin usage comes a development of tolerance meaning the abuser must use more of the drug to achieve the same level of intensity. That abuse puts heroin users at high risk for overdose and even death.

Also increasing over the past few years is the abuse of synthetic designer drugs. Synthetic cannabinoids, such as “K2” and “Spice,” and synthetic cathinones, such as “bath salts,” rapidly increased over the past few years, and, according to the DEA, has caused and continues to cause severe consequences to abusers.

While long-term effects on a user of synthetic drugs are not yet known, immediately users will experience paranoia, panic attacks and giddiness. Physiological effects include an increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure.

Meth, still the most common drug in the Midwest, is also highly addictive and, over time, the abuser can suffer from severe physical and psychological issues. Signs of long-term abuse include: A feeling of bugs crawling on the skin, body sores from users picking at their skin, psychosis and hallucinations and even brain damage.

To see the full DEA report, click HERE. Photos below are from the DEA and show the increased usage of synthetic drugs over a four year period.