One of the nation's most dangerous drugs is methamphetamine. Use of this drug is high, especially in rural areas, and 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 data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse's 2010 Monitoring the Future Study, methamphetamine use continues to decline among 8th, 10th, and 12th graders (has declined since 1999 between 60% and 80%.) The annual prevalence rates in 2010 for methamphetamine are 1.2%, 1.6%, and 1.0% in grades 8, 10, and 12, respectively.
Data from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration indicates that 11,239 seizures of methamphetamine labs occurred in 2010, many of which were in rural areas.
Use of methamphetamine 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.
Sources
2010 Monitoring the Future Study; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Maps of Methamphetamine Lab Incidents, Nationwide Map of Methamphetamine Super Lab Seizures (rural percentage of incidence from states with five or more seizures)
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Tools
Drug Facts: Methamphetamine
Web site
Provides data on methamphetamine use, including extent of use, health effects, treatment, and more.
Frontline: The Meth Epidemic
Web site
Investigates how and why meth use is a problem in the United States. Includes an overview on how meth destroys the body, frequently asked questions, interviews, and a state-by-state map.
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.
Meth360 Information Kit
Web site
Collection of fact sheets containing information on these methamphetamine topic areas: facts about meth, effects on users, effects on communities, families & prevention, intervention & treatment, and communities & prevention.
Methamphetamine
Web site
Provides resources on methamphetamine including an overview, readings, hotline, reports, and publications.
Methpedia
Web site
Serves as a "one-stop" shop to get information on preventing methamphetamine use across the United States. Offers webinars, training and TA, and state-level statistics and legislation.
MethResources.gov
Web site
Contains nation-wide and state-wide publications, research, events, conferences, programs, funding, training, policies, and community involvement regarding methamphetamine.
Mind Over Matter: Methamphetamine
Web site
Collection of information designed for children in grades five to nine. Explains what methamphetamine is, the effects of this drug, and how it changes the brain.
National Indian Country Methamphetamine Initiative (ICMI)
Web site
Represents twenty different entities, including tribal governments, federal agencies, and non-profit organizations. Offers advertisement campaign materials against methamphetamine in Indian Country, plus a tool kit, meth facts, intervention tools, and associated resources.
National Meth Center
Web site
Offers a clearinghouse of information and training for stakeholders in the fight against methamphetamine. Includes statistical details for each state, plus strategies and resources related to the epidemic, recovery, and law enforcement.
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.
Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents
2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Access reports based on the 2010 survey of the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco in the civilian, noninstitutionalized population of youth and adults. Statistics are available according to region and by county geographic type (metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas).
Date: 08 / 2011
Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005
This bill, from the Drug Enforcement Administration, responds to the illegal production, distribution, and use of methamphetamines in the United States. Governs the retail sale of all cough and cold medications that contain the methamphetamine precursor chemicals ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine.
Date: 05 / 2006
Current Status of the Methamphetamine Epidemic
Sponsoring organization: Carnevale Associates
Offers an analysis of data from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and describes trends affecting rural communities.
Date: 03 / 2011
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
Fact Sheet: Rural Methamphetamine Use and HIV/STD Risk
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
Geographic Differences in Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine/Amphetamine and Marijuana: 2005
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Presents findings from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which discusses admissions to substance abuse treatment and geographic differences by state and region.
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: 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
Reports on 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 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 and describes its health effects on communities. Emphasizes the danger of first responders when responding to meth calls.
Journal citation: Rural Monitor Volume 2005 Issue Summer
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, especially those in rural areas. Identifies strategies to prevent meth use, keep children safe, and help parents with addictions complete treatment.
Date: 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 sheriff's departments on the impact of meth on county law enforcement activities in urban, rural and suburban areas.
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/Amphetamine Treatment Admissions in Urban and Rural Areas: 2005
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: 02 / 2008
Methamphetamine: The National Summit to Promote Public Health, Partnerships, and Safety for Critically Affected Populations
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Identifies three critically affected populations of methamphetamine: incarcerated populations, LGBT individuals, and women of childbearing years. Describes funding issues and unique challenges they face, including those related to living in rural and frontier areas.
Date: 07 / 2011
Monitoring the Future: National Results on Adolescent Drug Use Overview of Key Findings, 2010
Sponsoring organization: National Institute on Drug Abuse
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: 02 / 2011
Montana Meth Project: Graphic Ad Campaign Helps Reduce Meth Use
Author(s): Angela Lutz
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Association
Highlights the Montana Meth Project, which is trying to keep rural teens off drugs and reduce crime.
Journal citation: Rural Roads
Date: 04 / 2011
National Drug Threat Assessment 2010
Sponsoring organization: National Drug Intelligence Center
Describes the status and outlook of the drug threat to rural and suburban America. Covers the trafficking and abuse patterns associated with substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, MDMA (ecstasy), pharmaceutical drugs.
Date: 02 / 2010
Reports on Rural America: Substance Abuse in Rural and Small Town America
Author(s): Karen Van Gundy
Sponsoring organization: Carsey Institute
Discusses patterns of substance abuse, especially methamphetamine; recommendations for programs and policies; and provides rural and urban data.
Date: 2006
Rural Methamphetamine Users May Be at Higher Risk for Health Complications
Summarizes results of a study on 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
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
Substance Abuse in Rural America: Surprising Findings on Prevalence of Alcohol Abuse
Sponsoring organization: Carsey Institute
Fact Sheet based on the full report, Substance Abuse in Rural and Small Town America, summarizes statistics on alcohol and meth use in rural and urban areas. It also explores the roles of treatment, law enforcement, and the community.
Date: 2006
Organizations
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Federal government
Works to protect human health and the environment. Provides programs and educational resources designed to help reduce exposure to chemicals and drugs.
National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)
National organization
Enables people to create safer and more caring communities by addressing the causes of crime and violence (such as drug abuse) 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.
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, and articles.
Rural Crime and Justice Center (RCJC)
National organization
Established to explore the unique characteristics of rural crime and deviance. Includes 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.
UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP)
Academic/Research
Coordinates substance abuse research to develop, evaluate, and initiate treatment programs for substance abuse disorders.
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.
Recovery Process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.
Substance Abuse Misuse of medications, alcohol or other illegal substances.
Super Meth Labs Highly organized labs that account for 80% of meth produced.
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