Methamphetamine in Iowa

Meth Situation and Prevalence

In central and western Iowa, methamphetamine remains the principal drug of concern. Hispanic trafficking organizations import large quantities of methamphetamine into Iowa. A decrease in the purity of the Mexican-produced “ice” has led many users in the state of Iowa to return to using higher-purity methamphetamine produced locally in small toxic laboratories. Local manufacturers bypass laws limiting the sale of pseudoephedrine by using friends and family to purchase large quantities of pseudoephedrine pills from retail stores (known as “smurfing”), and thefts of anhydrous ammonia have increased. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa State Factsheet, 2009)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.82% of persons aged 12 or older in Iowa 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 2007 survey of Iowa students show that approximately 3.3% of 9th graders, 2.0% of 10th graders, 4.4% of 11th graders, and 4.8% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lifetimes. (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 7 children affected by and 0 children injured at methamphetamine laboratories in Iowa during 2008.  There were 16 children affected by methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

Iowa's drug endangered children efforts are a coordinated response to the impact of parental/caregiver substance abuse on Iowa children, who are often found to be living in deplorable conditions; neglected and suffering. Iowa professionals are coming together as teams to provide immediate intervention and follow-up care for these children. (Iowa Alliance for Drug Endangered Children Web site)

Enforcement

There were 12 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 137 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Iowa during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 21 kilograms of methamphetamine in Iowa. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Iowa State Factsheet, 2009)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 192 methamphetamine lab incidents in Iowa 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, Iowa, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	352	2004	1,335
2000	283	2005	761
2001	578	2006	318
2002	861	2007	169
2003	1,272	2008	192

During FY 2008, 33.2% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Iowa had committed a drug offense. Approximately 50.9% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Iowa)

Prevention

Partnership for a Drug-Free Iowa—Face It Together is a nonprofit coalition dedicated to promoting healthy families and safe communities by preventing substance abuse in Iowa.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 2,304 admissions to treatment in Iowa in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 10% 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 June 3, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Iowa, please call 866-923-1085 or view the Iowa Recovery Provider Resource List. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Facility Locator service at 800-662-HELP (4357) or 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.