Related Guides on this Topic
You may also want to see this guide on a related topic: Substance Abuse
Introduction
One of the nation's most dangerous drugs is methamphetamine. Use of this drug is high, especially in rural areas.
Its use is increasing among populations not previously known to use illegal drugs.
The production of methamphetamine can be found anywhere - apartments, suburban settings, garages, hotels, rented storage spaces, and warehouses.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, data from the 2006 Monitoring the Future Study shows methamphetamine use declined among 10th graders this year, but not in the 8th or 12th grades. Methamphetamine use has been declining in these populations since it was first added to the study in 1999. The annual prevalence rates for methamphetamine are now 1.8 percent, 1.8 percent, and 2.5 percent in grades 8, 10, and 12. Despite this decline, methamphetamine is highly toxic and addicting, and statistics are still alarming.
In 2006, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, in 6,435 seizures occurred regarding methamphetamine labs, many of which were in rural areas.
The encouraging news is that in 2005, there were 12,484 seizures, and in 2004, there were 17,170 seizures.
Use of methamphetamines can result in serious health conditions, including memory loss, aggression, violence, psychotic behavior,
spreading sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS,
and potential heart and neurological damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tools
Frontline: The Meth Epidemic
Web site
Investigates how and why meth use is spiraling out of control. Includes an overview, faqs, interviews, and state-by-state maps.
Meth - Health Education Feature
Web site
Shows a slide show of the faces of meth, as well as resources for teens, parents, and your community.
Meth Action Clearinghouse
Database
Committed to raising public awareness about and helping counties respond to the nation's methamphetamine drug epidemic. Provides resources, surveys, articles, news, and legislation.
Meth Project
Web site
Consists of a large-scale prevention program aimed at reducing first-time meth use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach. Includes state-specific campaigns to educate youth about the dangers of meth use.
MethResources.gov
Web site
Contains publications, research, events, conferences, programs, funding, training, policies, and community involvement regarding methamphetamine.
Mind Over Matter: Methamphetamine
Web site
Designed for children in grades five to nine. Explains what methamphetamine is, effects of this drug, how it changes the brain, and more.
National Indian Country Methamphetamine Initiative
Web site
A national advertisement campaign against methamphetamine in Indian Country.
Funding
Inactive Funding
Inactive Funding Opportunities -
Lists additional funding programs for this topic that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.
Maps & Map Collections
Map: The Reach of Meth
Interactive
Geographic coverage: United States
An interactive map which shows the spread of the epidemic through the states, based on the number of meth users admitted for drug treatment per 100,000 residents in 2003, the most recent year for which nationwide data is available. Click on each state for information about drug treatment admissions, meth lab seizures, and recent state laws (including 2004) aimed at combating the epidemic.
Date: 2003
Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents
Combat Meth Act of 2005
A bill to respond to the illegal production, distribution, and use of methamphetamines in the United States, and for other purposes.
Date: 01 / 2005
Combating Methamphetamine Laboratories and Abuse: Strategies for Success
Author(s): Tom McEwen
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Justice
Discusses the benefits of forming partnerships with local and state agencies to help combat methamphetamine use.
Date: 08 / 2003
Community Crisis: Public Health's Role in the Methamphetamine Epidemic "Partnering to Confront the Issue" Archive
Sponsoring organization: Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Archive of September 26, 2006 webcast. Focus is to raise awareness about the methamphetamine epidemic, describe the role of public health and safety professionals on how they can be involved at the local and state levels, showcases coalitions and networks that are addressing
the methamphetamine epidemic, and points out resources for additional education, training and programming.
Date: 09 / 2006
Deadly Harvest
Author(s): Jim Patrico
Discusses how meth has become the most dangerous drug problem in small-town rural America.
Journal citation: Progressive Farmer
Date: 09 / 2003
Drug Abuse in America - Rural Meth
Author(s): Pilar Kraman
Sponsoring organization: Council of State Governments
Provides an overview of methamphetamine abuse and production in the United States. Focuses on problems specific to rural areas.
Date: 03 / 2004
Drug Endangered Children
Sponsoring organization: Carnevale Associates
Discusses the harmful conditions methamphetamine labs pose for children exposed to them. Contains statistics and data.
Date: 10 / 2004
Drug Facts: Methamphetamine
Sponsoring organization: White House Office of National Drug Control Policy
Presents facts on methamphetamines, including extent of use, legislation, treatment options, availability, and more. Includes statistics and data.
Date: 05 / 2006
Geographic Differences in Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine/Amphetamine and Marijuana: 2005
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Findings from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which discusses admissions to substance abuse treatment and geographic differences.
Date: 01 / 2008
In Our Own Backyard: Methamphetamine Manufacturing, Trafficking and Abuse in Rural America
Author(s): Joseph F. Donnermeyer, Ken Tunnell
Sponsoring organization: Rural Sociological Society
This issue is devoted to methamphetamine abuse and discusses the personal, environmental, and community fallout from meth use and production in rural America.
Journal citation: Rural Realities Volume 2 Issue 2
Date: 08 / 2007
Key to Methamphetamine-Related Literature
Author(s): Mark Hammer
Sponsoring organization: New York State Department of Health
Contains a comprehensive bibliography of over 5,000 research articles from peer-reviewed journals, linked to their corresponding PubMed abstracts.
Date: 01 / 2007
Long-term Effects of Universal Preventive Interventions on Methamphetamine Use Among Adolescents
Author(s): Richard L. Spoth, Scott Clair, Chungyeol Shin, Cleve Redmond
Sponsoring organization: American Medical Association
Results of a study which examined the long-term effects of universal preventive interventions on methamphetamine use by adolescents in the general population during their late high school years and found that prevention programs for young rural teens can reduce methamphetamine abuse years later.
Journal citation: Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Volume 160 Issue 9 Pages: 876-882
Date: 09 / 2006
Meth a Growing Menace in Rural America: Production and Use of Highly Addictive Drug has Exploded
Sponsoring organization: National Public Radio
Discusses the increasing problem of meth in rural America.
Date: 08 / 2004
Meth Abuse a Smoldering Crisis
Author(s): Hope Hanson
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Discusses why methamphetamine is now the number one drug problem in rural America. Emphasizes the danger of first responders when responding to meth calls. Discusses health effects of meth as well as other effects on communities.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 08 / 2005
Meth and Child Welfare: Promising Solutions for Children, Their Parents and Grandparents
Sponsoring organization: Generations United
Examines the impact of meth on children, families, communities and the child welfare system. Identifies strategies to prevent meth use, keep children safe, and help parents with addictions complete treatment.
Date: 2006
Meth Epidemic
Author(s): Karen King
Sponsoring organization: Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative
Presentation from the director of emergency room and surgery in Neillsville, WI describing the meth epidemic, what meth is, and education.
Date: 09 / 2006
Meth Epidemic in America: The Criminal Effect of Meth on Communities - A 2006 Survey of U. S. Counties
Author(s): Bill Hansell
Sponsoring organization: National Association of Counties
Results of a survey of 500 sheriffs departments on the impact of meth on county law enforcement activities.
Date: 07 / 2006
Meth Project: National Use & Attitudes Survey 2007
Sponsoring organization: GFK Custom Research North America
Results of a national survey which measures attitudes and behaviors towards methamphetamine in America.
Date: 09 / 2007
Methamphetamine Labs Invade Rural Areas
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health
Discusses highlights of a community forum regarding methamphetamine production and use as well as the growing number of labs in rural PA.
Journal citation: Pennsylvania Rural Health Magazine Volume 13 Issue 2 Pages: 1
Date: 07 / 2004
Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Treatment Admissions in Urban and Rural Areas: 2004
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Provides statistics, data, and other characteristics of methamphetamines/amphetamines hospital admissions in both urban and rural areas.
Date: 2006
Methamphetamine: Abuse and Addiction
Sponsoring organization: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Provides an overview of this drug, including statistics and data. Discusses the rising use of methamphetamines in rural areas throughout the U.S.
Date: 01 / 2002
Monitoring the Future: National Results on Adolescent Drug Use Overview of Key Findings 2006
Sponsoring organization: National Institutes of Health
Results of the national survey which interviews 50,000 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students in over 400 secondary schools nationwide. Highlights recent trends in the use of licit and illicit drugs, as well as trends in the levels of perceived risk and personal disapproval associated with each drug.
Date: 05 / 2007
Myths about Methamphetamine
Author(s): Christina Kent
Sponsoring organization: National Conference of State Legislatures
Discusses the idea that treatment for meth addiction is much more difficult and takes much longer than treatment for addiction to other drugs. Discusses a Washington State Department of Social and Health Services study which examines meth users and treatment.
Journal citation: State Health Notes Volume 27 Issue 469
Date: 06 / 2006
National Drug Threat Assessment 2007
Sponsoring organization: National Drug Intelligence Center
Addresses the status and outlook of the drug threat to the United States. Covers the trafficking and abuse patterns associated with cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, MDMA, pharmaceutical drugs, and other dangerous drugs.
Date: 10 / 2006
NDSUH Report: Methamphetamine Use
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Examines trends and patterns in rates of methamphetamine use by gender based on data from the years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Date: 01 / 2007
NSDUH Report: State Estimates of Past Year Methamphetamine Use
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Presents estimates of past year methamphetamine
use among persons ages 12 or older in
each of the 50 States and the District of
Columbia.
Date: 12 / 2006
Reports on Rural America: Substance Abuse in Rural and Small Town America
Author(s): Karen Van Gundy
Sponsoring organization: Carsey Institute
Draws on existing knowledge and uses data from a nationally representative data source to understand patterns of substance abuse, including methamphetamine abuse, in rural America.
Date: 2006
Rural Methamphetamine Use and HIV/STD Risk (Fact sheet #18)
Author(s): Susan Dreisbach
Sponsoring organization: Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention
Discusses issues related to methamphetamine use in rural communities, including how it increases the risk of HIV/AIDs.
Date: 2006
Rural Methamphetamine Users May Be at Higher Risk for Health Complications
Highlights a recent study of adult, rural methamphetamine users living in the Midwest who may be at higher risk than urban users for medical complications related to their methamphetamine use.
Date: 08 / 2007
Rural Monitor Summer 2005 Issue
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Summer 2005 issue is devoted to the topic of methamphetamine.
Date: 08 / 2005
Spotlight on Rural Research: Meth Mayhem Prompting More Research
Author(s): Hope Hanson
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center
Discusses the research that the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is doing, the need to increase research due to the increase of methamphetamine production and abuse in rural America, and research that other agencies are doing.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor
Date: 07 / 2005
Substance Abuse in Rural America
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services
Chapter from the 2007 Report to the Secretary: Rural Health and Human Service Issues. Addresses rural access to substance abuse services, with a focus on alcohol, methamphetamine and narcotics addiction.
Date: 01 / 2007
Trends in Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Admissions to Treatment: 1993-2003
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Provides statistics and data regarding treatment admissions for primary methamphetamine/amphetamine abusers according to the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS). TEDS is an annual compilation of data on the demographics and substance abuse problems of those admitted to substance abuse treatment.
Date: 03 / 2006
Organizations
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Federal government
Works to protect human health and the environment. Provides programs, educational resources, reducing exposure to chemicals and much more.
National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)
National organization
Enables people to create safer and more caring communities by addressing the causes of crime and violence and reducing the opportunities for crime to occur.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Federal government
Provides education resources and materials on drugs of abuse, information & facts, curriculum guides, classroom tools, grants & funding, research, clinical trials, and meetings.
Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
Federal government
The principal purpose of ONDCP is to establish policies, priorities, and objectives for the Nation's drug control program. The goals of the program are to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences.
Partnership for a Drug-Free America
Nonprofit/Foundation
Consists of a coalition of communication, health, medical and educational professionals working to reduce illicit drug use and help people live healthy, drug-free lives. Provides research-based, educational campaigns, state offices, events, personal stories, articles and more.
Rural Crime and Justice Center (RCJC)
National organization
Was established to explore the unique characteristics of rural crime and deviance. Has expanded to include research and evaluation of various aspects related to criminal justice.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Federal government
Works to improve the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses. Part of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
Federal government
Establishes policies, priorities, and objectives for the Nation's drug control program. Works to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing, and trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences.
Terms & Acronyms
Craving Powerful, often uncontrollable desire for drugs.
Crystal Meth A smokable form of methamphetamine, one of a group of drugs called amphetamines.
Detoxification Physical withdrawal from a substance.
Meth Mouth Gum disease, broken and cracked teeth, tooth decay, mouth sores, corrosion of teeth, and absence of saliva due to methamphetamine use.
Meth Orphan Children who are in foster care or being raised by grandparents due to one or both parents being either in jail or dead due to methamphetamine use or children being born to mothers addicted to the drug.
Methamphetamine An addictive stimulant that is closely related to amphetamine, but has longer lasting and more toxic effects on the central nervous system. It has a high potential for abuse and addiction.
Mom and Pop Meth Labs More common meth labs that manufacture a much smaller amount of methamphetamine for own use and result in a higher number of explosions, injuries, hazardous waste dumping, and child endangerment.
Substance Abuse Misuse of medications, alcohol or other illegal substances.
Super Meth Labs Highly organized labs that account for 80% of meth produced.
Success Stories
RAC Success Stories: Substance Abuse
I Sing the Body Electric (ISBE)
The goal of the program is to encourage area youth to make health-positive lifestyle choices by using creative arts and peer influence to foster resiliency in youth at risk for substance abuse and other unhealthy behaviors.
Walk Your Land A Kentucky program which calls for all landowners to better keep track of activity on their property. Landowners are urged to walk their land, reporting any smell of cat urine or metallic chemicals due to highly toxic waste generated. Anyone who finds something suspicious is to leave the area and call local officials immediately.
Montana Meth Project Goal is to significantly reduce the prevalence of first-time methamphetamine use in Montana. Sustains a campaign of research-based public service messaging—including advertising, public relations, and websites. Conducts extensive statewide survey and focus group research to more thoroughly understand Montanans’ attitudes and behaviors related to methamphetamine.
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