Methamphetamine in Arizona

Meth Situation and Prevalence

There are two types of methamphetamine available in Arizona, Mexican-produced and locally produced methamphetamine. Mexican-produced methamphetamine is the most predominant type encountered in the state and is frequently smuggled across the Southwest Border where it transits through Arizona. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Arizona State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.58% of persons aged 12 or older in Arizona 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 2008 survey of Arizona students show that approximately 1.2% of 8th graders, 2.4% of 10th graders, and 4.0% of 12th graders used methamphetamine during their lifetime. Additional survey results indicate that 0.4% of 8th graders, 0.6% of 10th graders, and 0.8% of 12th graders reported past month use of methamphetamine. (Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, Arizona Youth Survey: State Report, December 2008)

Among Arizona students who reported having used methamphetamines at least once in their lifetimes, the average age of first use was 14 years. (Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, Arizona Youth Survey: State Report, December 2008)

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 7 children affected by, 0 children injured at, and 0 children killed at methamphetamine laboratories in Arizona during 2008.  There were 8 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)

The Arizona Governor's Office is working with federal, state and tribal partners to promote and enhance Drug Endangered Children (DEC) programs through the Arizona DEC Alliance.

Enforcement

There were 811 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 3,366 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Arizona during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 263.4 kilograms of methamphetamine in Arizona. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Arizona State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 10 methamphetamine lab incidents in Arizona 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, Arizona, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	380	2004	122
2000	384	2005	75
2001	312	2006	41
2002	253	2007	15
2003	140	2008	10

During FY 2008, 21.7% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Arizona had committed a drug offense. Approximately 11.4% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Arizona)

Prevention

The Arizona Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families has developed Anti-Meth Community Coalition Contacts, a resource containing information about and contact information for anti-meth coalitions throughout Arizona.

Launched in April 2007, the Arizona Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at significantly reducing first-time meth use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2007, there were 4,229 admissions to treatment in Arizona in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 9.7% of the total drug and alcohol admissions to treatment in the state. (Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, State Treatment Data, report run on April 23, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Arizona, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Facility Locator service at 800-662-HELP (4357). You can also conduct a search for programs online using the Treatment Facility Locator Web site.

If you would like to contact the substance abuse agency in your 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.