Methamphetamine in Alabama
Meth Situation and Prevalence
Get Treatment Help
If you or a loved one needs treatment:
- Call 800-367-0955 or 800-662-HELP (4357)
- See the Alabama Substance Abuse Provider Directory
- Contact your state substance abuse agency
Methamphetamine has been identified by law enforcement as the number one drug threat in Alabama. Its production in the state has seen a substantial decrease as a direct result of the restricting of pseudoephedrine sales; however, it remains the most significant threat in Alabama as Mexican drug trafficking organizations have increased the total quantity available. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Alabama State Factsheet, 2008)
According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.81% of persons aged 12 or older in Alabama reported using methamphetamine within the past year. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007)
Results of a 2005 survey of Alabama students show that approximately 7.0% of 9th graders, 7.6% of 10th graders, 6.5% of 11th graders, and 9.5% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lives. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Online: Comprehensive Results, 2008)
Drug Endangered Children
According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 53 children affected by, 0 children injured at, and 0 children killed at methamphetamine laboratories in Alabama during 2008.  There were 32 children affected by (0 injured/0 killed at) methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)
Enforcement
There were 172 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 1,023 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Alabama during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)
During 2007, Federal agencies seized 3.2 kilograms of methamphetamine in Alabama. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Arizona State Factsheet, 2008)
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 331 methamphetamine lab incidents in Alabama during 2008. This includes all meth incidents, including labs, dumpsites, and/or chemical and glassware seizures. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Maps of Methamphetamine Lab Incidents)
Number of Meth Lab Incidents, Alabama, 1999-2008
Year |
# of Incidents |
Year |
# of Incidents |
|---|---|---|---|
1999 |
30 |
2004 |
385 |
2000 |
84 |
2005 |
293 |
2001 |
166 |
2006 |
193 |
2002 |
264 |
2007 |
145 |
2003 |
341 |
2008 |
331 |
During FY 2008, 34.9% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Alabama had committed a drug offense. Approximately 25.3% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Alabama)
Prevention
The Alabama Substance Abuse Services Division has created a Directory of prevention programs and program contacts within the state. Please note that not all programs in the Directory will focus on methamphetamine.
Treatment
According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2006, there were 1,768 admissions to treatment in Alabama in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 8.5% of the total drug and alcohol admissions to treatment in the state. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, State Treatment Data, report run on April 14, 2009)
For information about treatment programs in Alabama, you can view Alabama’s Substance Abuse Services Division’s Provider Directory. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Facility Locator service at 800-662-HELP (4357) or search for programs online using SAMHSA’s Treatment Facility Locator Web site.
If you would like to contact the substance abuse agency in the state, please see SAMHSA’s State Substance Abuse Agencies page, which contains links to and contact information for agencies within each state.
Search
Conduct a search of the MethResources database for additional information about methamphetamine in the state.
