Cocaine: Cocaine is widely used and trafficked throughout Mississippi. Cocaine, in both powder-form "HCl" and base-form "crack," is the most problematic drug for communities and law enforcement in Mississippi. There is often a direct connection between the use and/or sale of cocaine and crime, especially violent crime. In Mississippi, cocaine is being illicitly trafficked and used by people from all racial and socioeconomic groups throughout the state's 82 counties. Cocaine base, "crack" cocaine, is still the drug of choice among users and traffickers in the African-American population in both urban and rural areas of Mississippi. Unique to the Mississippi Gulf Coast counties of Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson are Vietnamese gangs involved in drug trafficking. These Vietnamese gangs, primarily operating in the Biloxi area, are heavily involved in the distribution of powder cocaine and the club drug ecstasy. The primary cocaine sources for these Vietnamese dealers are located in Texas and California. Vietnamese dealers are known to supply some of the African-American dealers with powder cocaine which is then converted "cooked" into crack-cocaine for local sale. Mexican traffickers are loosely organized in Mississippi but are believed to be associated with large Mexican gangs operating in Memphis, Tennessee. Overall, the Mexican population in Mississippi is steadily growing and Mexican drug trafficking groups are increasing in the rural, agricultural areas of the state.

Heroin: : Heroin continues to be a rare commodity in the state of Mississippi, according to reports from several local and state agencies. Most of the state's heroin seizures come from users, although there have been cases where heroin has been seized from local independent dealers. These dealers have only had small amounts in their possession. Heroin, seen in central and southern Mississippi is believed to have come from Texas and New Orleans, while the northern part of the state is getting its heroin from the Memphis, TN area. Seizure figures indicate Mexican Brown (Black Tar) is the most popular type of heroin found throughout the state, however, South American white heroin has been seen in some areas.

Methamphetamine: The manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine is one of the fastest growing drug problems in Mississippi. Methamphetamine brought in from other areas of the United States and across borders. Methamphetamine use in Mississippi is rampant. Virtually unheard of four years ago or found only in the trucking community, methamphetamine is now approaching epidemic proportions in the state. Not only has methamphetamine use and abuse impacted the law enforcement community, Mississippi farmers, and local merchants, but also the drug treatment centers have been affected by rising admissions. According to professionals working in the drug treatment centers, methamphetamine abuse was first seen approximately five years ago with a significant increase occurring within the past three years. The need for treatment is enormous. Initially, methamphetamine availability was concentrated in the far northern counties of Mississippi; however, several factors quickly contributed to the spread of the problem throughout northern Mississippi. Bridges at Greenville; Washington County, Mississippi; Helena, Arkansas; Coahoma County, Mississippi; and Memphis, Tennessee provide direct access to the states of Arkansas, Missouri and Tennessee. These states have had a tremendous problem with the manufacture of methamphetamine, which led to tougher laws and more enforcement in those states. That pressure pushed manufacturers into northern Mississippi because of the ample supply of anhydrous ammonia and the need for less pressure from law enforcement. The crystalline form of methamphetamine, known as "ice", "glass", or "crystal," is gaining popularity. This crystal methamphetamine reportedly came from either California or Texas, and was transported to the area by transport trucks. The violators referred to the methamphetamine as "Chrome". The theft of precursor chemicals has increased greatly. The majority of merchants are cooperating with law enforcement by limiting access to the number of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine tablets that can be purchased as well as other items needed to manufacture methamphetamine. Because of their cooperation, however, shoplifting has increased.

In-state methamphetamine production is becoming a significant issue in Mississippi. EPIC statistics reported 229 laboratories seized in CY 2002 compared to 28 laboratories in CY 2003 to date.

Club Drugs: Both LSD and MDMA are being distributed and used in and around local nightclubs, at rave parties, and on college campuses. MDMA seizures have increased significantly since 1998. MDMA has become the most prevalent and popular of the "club" or "designer" drugs in Mississippi. GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine are not currently known to be widely used or popular. LSD found in Mississippi normally comes from California. MDMA found in Mississippi is primarily from sources in California, New York, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

Pharmaceuticals: In Mississippi, diversion of pharmaceuticals is primarily occurring at the retail level through schemes such as forging or altering prescriptions and through doctor shopping. Illicitly diverted prescription drugs are being abused by some from all racial and socioeconomic groups. Currently, Hydrocodone (Vicodin), Alprozalam (Xanax), Diazapam (Valium), Oxycodone (Percodan, OxyContin), Lorazepam (Alivan), and Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) are the most widely diverted and abused pharmaceutical drugs in central Mississippi. OxyContin is currently the pharmaceutical drug of concern due to 14 overdoses in recent years. These drugs, and others like Rohypnol, are also being obtained in large quantities from sources in Texas border towns, especially Laredo, Texas. Another widespread problem is the illegal purchasing of large quantities of cold medicine containing ephedrine/pseudoephedrine, from grocery and drug stores, which is being converted, through use of chemicals, into methamphetamine.

Marijuana: Large quantities of Mexican marijuana are transported from Texas through Mississippi on Interstates 10, 12, and 55 destined for larger cities in the Northeastern and Southeastern United States. Couriers in pick-up trucks, vans, tractor-trailers and buses transport the marijuana in 50, 100 and 200 pound quantities in concealed compartments. Proceeds from the drug sales are returned in the same manner. Domestically cultivated marijuana is available throughout Northern Mississippi in patches of four to five plants in and around dense vegetation on United States forestry land and around area lakes. Marijuana is trafficked and used by all ethnic and socioeconomic groups in Mississippi, often along with or after the use of cocaine and methamphetamine.

Other Drugs: In Mississippi, the diversion of prescription drugs occurs mostly at the retail level through forged or altered prescriptions and through doctor shopping. Illicitly diverted prescription drugs are being abused by some from all racial and socioeconomic groups. Popular abused pharmaceutical drugs include Oxycontin, Xanax, Valium, Vicodin, Dilaudid, and Lortab. Also, large quantities of these prescription drugs are being obtained illegally in Mexico or in Texas border towns such as Laredo. The prescription drug “Oxycontin” – a schedule II pain relief medicine – is currently popular and is being abused by some in Mississippi for its heroin-like sedative effect. Fourteen people have died of Oxycontin overdoses in Mississippi, beginning with a 15-year-old girl from Simpson County who died on November 28, 2000.