Methamphetamine in Colorado

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Most of the methamphetamine available in Colorado originates in Mexico. In recent years, the potency of methamphetamine produced in Mexico has risen to levels comparable to that made in smaller, local clandestine laboratories. While clandestine laboratories remain problematic to law enforcement in Colorado, the number of such laboratories has diminished dramatically, possibly due to the increasing supply of Mexican-produced methamphetamine. Despite a lower number of clandestine laboratories, these operations still represent a threat to the public safety and the environment. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Colorado State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.43% 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 2005 survey of Colorado students show that approximately 3.2% of 9th graders, 3.8% of 10th graders, 3.2% of 11th graders, and 5.9% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lives. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Online: Comprehensive Results, 2005)

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 2 children affected by, 0 children injured at, and 0 children killed at methamphetamine laboratories in Colorado during 2008.  There were 12 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 Colorado Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (Colorado DEC) is committed to supporting children, families, organizations, and communities affected by substance abuse through increased collaboration, coordination of services, and systems integration.

Enforcement

There were 122 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 349 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Colorado during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 26.4 kilograms of methamphetamine in Colorado. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Colorado State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 33 methamphetamine lab incidents in Colorado 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, Colorado, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	104	2004	228
2000	142	2005	151
2001	240	2006	96
2002	450	2007	46
2003	352	2008	33

During FY 2008, 14.4% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Colorado had committed a drug offense. Approximately 25.7% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Colorado)

Prevention

The Colorado Directory of Prevention Providers provides a wealth of prevention resources for the state of Colorado.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 4,907 admissions to treatment in Colorado in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 6.4% 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 21, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Colorado, please see Colorado’s Directory of Licensed Treatment Programs or 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 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.