Methamphetamine

This first national estimate suggests that the economic cost of methamphetamine (meth) use in the United States reached $23.4 billion in 2005. Given the uncertainty in estimating the costs of meth use, this book provides a lower-bound estimate of $16.2 billion and an upper-bound estimate of $48.3 billion. The analysis considers a wide range of consequences due to meth use, including the burden of addiction, premature death, drug treatment, and aspects of lost productivity, crime and criminal justice, health care, production and environmental hazards, and child endangerment. Other potential harms of meth, however, could not be included due to a lack of scientific evidence or to data issues. Although meth causes some unique harms, many of the primary cost drivers are similar to those identified in economic assessments of other illicit drugs. Among the most costly elements are the intangible burden of addiction and premature death, which account for nearly two-thirds of the economic costs. The intangible burden of addiction measures the lower quality of life experienced by those addicted to the drug. Crime and criminal-justice costs also account for a significant share of economic costs, as do lost productivity, removing a child from the parents' home, and drug treatment. One unusual cost captured in the analysis is that associated with the production of meth, which requires toxic chemicals that can result in fire, explosions, and other negative events.

Sonoma County Methamphetamine Prevention Plan

In October of 2007, with support from the California Endowment, the Sonoma County Methamphetamine Prevention Task Force was formed to develop a plan to address methamphetamine use and its impact on individuals, families, community, and systems. The Sonoma County Methamphetamine Prevention Plan is the culmination of work that has spanned more than two years and represents the efforts of all members of the Task Force, community members, professionals, and policy makers. It is the intent of the Task Force that this plan be used to guide methamphetamine prevention and treatment efforts in Sonoma County over the next five years, and that it be viewed as a living document that will grow and change as needed in order to respond to the substance abuse prevention and treatment needs of our communities.

Methamphetamine Report to Sonoma County Health Services

The Department of Health Services convened a multi disciplinary workgroup with representatives from County Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Treatment, Family, Youth and Children Services, the Narcotic Task Force, Adult Detention, Public Defender, District Attorney and the Probation Department. The report provides background on methamphetamine addiction and current information on production, distribution and sale of methamphetamine in Sonoma County. It highlights the scope and impacts of meth use on the community and the county services systems and resources and discusses the use of "best practices" in AOD prevention and treatment.

National Institute on Drug Abuse: Methamphetamine Abuse & Addiction

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has developed this publication to provide an overview of the latest scientific findings on this drug, with a goal of translating what scientists learn from research to help the public better understand drug abuse and addiction and to develop more effective strategies for their prevention and treatment.

Methamphetamine Use, Abuse, and Dependence: 2002, 2003, & 2004

This Short Report is based on SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), conducted by SAMHSA's Office of Applied Studies (OAS) in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This survey is the primary source of information on the prevalence, patterns, and consequences of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the general U.S. civilian non institutionalized population, age 12 and older. 

Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR), University of Maryland Research Reports

The University of Maryland has published a variety of reports on methamphetamine, which can be accessed here. In order to view only their publications on methamphetamine, select methamphetamine as the search criteria.

Best Practices in Methamphetamine Treatment

Methamphetamine Treatment Project

The Methamphetamine Treatment Project (MTP) is a joint initiative to study the treatment of methamphetamine dependence, implemented by the UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), and the Matrix Institute on Addictions.

SAMHSA/CSAT Treatment Improvement Protocols - TIP 33: Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders

The Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPs) are best practice guidelines for the treatment of substance abuse. The US Deparment of Health and Human Services Center for Substance Abuse Treatment's (CSAT's) Office of Evaluation, Scientific Analysis, and Synthesis draws on the experience and knowledge of clinical, research, and administrative experts to produce the TIPs

UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs: Presentations by Richard Rawson, Ph.D.

ISAP (Integrated Substance Abuse Programs) coordinates substance abuse research and treatment under authority of the Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. ISAP is a division of the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. Richard Rawson is the associate director of ISAP.

For Parents & Educators

Doug Brunk of the International Medical News Group reports on the first-ever study of demographic and health care characteristics of mothers who use methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine & Pregnancy Fact Sheet

Sonoma County AODS fact sheet that addresses the effects of methamphetamine on children during and after pregnancy.

Mind Over Matter: Methamphetamine

This site, sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), is designed for children from fifth to ninth grade. It explains what methamphetamine is, effects of this drug, how it changes the brain, and more.

Tips for Teens: Methamphetamine

The US Department of Health and Human Services provides these methamphetamine facts, specifically geared towards teens.

Warning Signs: Is Your Child Using Meth?

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America lists some of the warning signs that parents should be aware of.

Methamphetamine & Child Welfare

US Department of Health & Human Services: Impact of Meth on the Child Welfare System

Methamphetamine use is a growing problem for children and families across the country. To protect and support families, child welfare workers need to know what this drug is and how it affects users. The resources on this page are separated into the following categories: Statistics and the Scope of the Problem, Responding to and Treating Methamphetamine Use, and Additional Information on Methamphetamines and Child Welfare.

North Carolina Division of Social Services: Crafting a Safe, Family Centered Response to Meth

This April 2005 issue of the Practice Notes newsletter for child welfare workers in North Carolina describes the impact of family methamphetamine use and production on children. The issue reviews risk factors for child maltreatment and suggest techniques for helping families.

Experts Caution Against Rush to Judgment on Meth

Elizabeth Stawicki of Minnesota Public Radio reports on the Minnesota Supreme Court task force on chemical dependency presentation by national experts Dr. Timothy Condon, deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and Dr. Barry Lester, director of Brown University's Center for the Study of Children at Risk and Infant Development Center.

Committee on Government Reform Hearing - Fighting Meth in America's Heartland: Assessing the Impact on Local Law Enforcement and Child Welfare Agencies

This is the site for the Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources hearing regarding their work on the problem of methamphetamine trafficking and abuse – a problem that is ravaging the entire nation and putting a severe strain on law enforcement agencies and child welfare programs, particularly at the state and local levels.

Testimony of Nancy K. Young, Ph.D., Director, National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare; and Director, Children and Family Futures

Testimony of Laura Birkmeyer, Assistant U.S. Attorney, San Diego, CA; and Chairperson, National Alliance for Drug Endangered Children

 

Communities & Methamphetamine

MethStories: Affecting Your Community

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has compiled these five personal profiles of people whose lives have been impacted by methamphetamine.

County of San Diego Methamphetamine Strike Force

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors authorized the formation of a multi-disciplinary Methamphetamine Strike Force in 1996. The Meth Strike Force is composed of approximately 70 member organizations and agencies, including local, state, and federal representatives from public health, law enforcement, judiciary, education, treatment, prevention, and intervention agencies.

Humboldt County Methamphetamine Fact Book

This Community Handbook and Resource Guide is the product of SPAN, California's Humboldt County Speed Prevention and Awareness Network. SPAN is composed of members from Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services, Humboldt County Schools, Humboldt District Attorney’s Office, Family Recovery Services, North Coast Children’s Services, Simpson Timber, Domestic Violence Project, and other community members and organizations.

General Information Links

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Methamphetamine Resource

National Institute on Drug Abuse: NIDA InfoFacts Methamphetamine

MethResources.gov

Meth Free MT

US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Meth

Drugstory.org Feature: Methamphetamine

The Partnership for a Drug-Free America: Meth Information & Resource Center

Institute for Intergovernmental Research: The Methamphetamine Problem

California Office of the Attorney General Methamphetamine Fact Sheet

streetdrugs.org: Methamphetamine