Risk and protective factors involve attitudes and behavior associated with the higher likelihood of use or nonuse of drugs. The 1999 NHSDA collected data on risk and protective factors in several content domains, including four constructs in the "peer/individual" domain: antisocial behavior, favorable attitudes toward substance use, peer attitudes favorable toward substance use, and peer substance use. Each construct was based on averaging responses to multiple questions. The peer substance use scale (four questions) was based on questions about how many friends used different substances, including alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana. The following scale responses were used: 1 (none of them), 2 (a few of them), 3 (most of them), and 4 (all of them). The national mean was 1.69, with State estimates ranging from 1.46 (Utah) to 1.88(West Virginia). Because West Virginia fell into the top fifth on this list, but not in the top fifth for either past month alcohol use or past month marijuana use, its high ranking on the composite measure is probably due to its ranking near the top for past month cigarette use.

Ecstasy's long, complicated scientific name refers to the various parts of its molecule. A particular group of atoms, in a specific arrangement, make up the ecstasy molecule. The drug begins with an N-methyl group of carbon and hydrogen atoms, attached to a nitrogen-containing compound. A methylene bridge attaches more carbon, with "dioxy," or two oxygen atoms as part of the bridge. The molecule becomes more complex with attachments of benzene, propane, another chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms, and an amino group. Drawn out on a blackboard, the molecule looks like an answer on an advanced chemistry test. In its pure form, ecstasy is a white powder. If the powder is light brown in color, it is impure. The MDMA molecule does not occur in any living organism. It must be created in a laboratory by a process known as "synthesis." The process of creating ecstasy is fairly simple for chemists, and it is inexpensive to make. Pills that are manufactured for pennies apiece can sell in the illegal drug market for $15 to $40 per dose. A vast underground network of laboratories, most of them in Europe, supply a cunning army of smugglers who bring the pills to the United Kingdom and the United States. Pills bought on the street might not contain pure ecstasy, however. Dosages vary widely. So do the ingredients in the illegal pills. Some might contain caffeine or dextromethorphan, others might have powerful hallucinogens. Occasionally the pills have nothing in them at all but sugar or aspirin. The old phrase "buyer beware" applies to any illegal drug purchased on the street.

By depressing the central nervous system, inhalants may dangerously hinder the activity of the nerves that control breathing. The resulting respiratory depression may cause unconsciousness, coma, or even death. The danger is especially great if inhalants are taken along with other nervous-system depressants, such as alcohol or barbiturates (sleeping pills).

Heavy inhalant use often causes people to feel completely out of control. Among the most frightening symptoms of heavy use are HALLUCINATIONS and DELUSIONS. The authors of the NIDA Research Report titled "Inhalant Abuse" state: "If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce anesthesia, a loss of sensation, and even unconsciousness." With time, regular abusers experience personality and behavioral changes. They may show signs of memory loss and an inability to reason. Severe mood swings, violent behavior, depression, hyperactivity, physical and mental dependence, and tolerance are often seen among long-time abusers as well. Tolerance is a condition in which higher and higher doses of a drug are needed to produce the original effect or high experienced. The irritating effects of inhaled chemicals can cause abusers to sneeze repeatedly, cough heavily, and even drool. Other observable signs of inhalant use include pale skin, breath that smells like chemicals, weight loss, nosebleeds, bloodshot eyes, tremors, and even seizures. Inhalants are dangerous for pregnant women and their developing babies. Studies of animals indicate that inhalant use by mothers leads to low birth weights, skeletal abnormalities, and developmental delays in exposed offspring.

There is a limited availability of MDMA (Ecstasy) in South Dakota, but this appears to be increasing, as small amounts are found with other seized drugs.

Heroin is available in South Dakota only in personal use quantities.

Methamphetamine traffickers in the Rapid City area of South Dakota are supplied substantially from sources in larger cities such as Denver, Colorado, and the southwestern United States.

Larger indoor marijuana grow operations in South Dakota are sometimes found in residences but usually number less than 100 plants.

Interstate 90 runs east and west through South Dakota and has become a main transportation route for drug trafficking organizations. There seems to be a consistent trend by Hispanic poly-drug traffickers based in the northwestern United States crossing South Dakota via I-90 en-route to metropolitan areas in the eastern United States and returning west using the same route to transport drug proceeds. It is anticipated that seizures along Interstate 90, both for narcotics and U.S. currency, will increase due to the frequent use by traffickers.

Use of and demand for methamphetamine in South Dakota has continued to rise over the past year.