Methamphetamine in Louisiana

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine continues to be a major drug threat in Louisiana. Law enforcement reporting indicates that, in some areas, methamphetamine is replacing crack cocaine as the primary drug threat due to its availability, low cost and long lasting effects. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.70% of persons aged 12 or older in Louisiana 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)

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 4 children affected by and 0 children injured at methamphetamine laboratories in Louisiana during 2008.  There were 8 children affected by methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

Enforcement

There were 280 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 1,110 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Louisiana during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 10.1 kilograms of methamphetamine in Louisiana. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Louisiana State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 6 methamphetamine lab incidents in Louisiana 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, Louisiana, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	8	2004	123
2000	15	2005	98
2001	16	2006	22
2002	133	2007	46
2003	94	2008	6

During FY 2008, 34.3% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Louisiana had committed a drug offense. Approximately 14.9% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Louisiana)

Prevention

If you would like to share information about your methamphetamine prevention program's efforts with us for possible inclusion on our site, please contact us.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 718 admissions to treatment in I Louisiana in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented  2.8% 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 Louisiana, you can conduct a Treatment Facility Search. 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.