Methamphetamine in Massachusetts

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine is available in limited quantities in Massachusetts and is transported via express mail packages from California and the southwestern United States. It is rarely abused throughout the state, but prevalent among young adults between the ages of 18 to 25, members of the homosexual community and occasionally abused by individuals in their late 30s to early 40s. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Massachusetts State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.13% of persons aged 12 or older in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts students show that approximately 2.7% of 9th graders, 3.8% of 10th graders, 4.3% of 11th graders, and 4.3% 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 0 children affected by or injured at methamphetamine laboratories in Massachusetts during 2008.  There were 2 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 263 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 531 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Massachusetts during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 2.9 kilograms of methamphetamine in Massachusetts. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Massachusetts State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 3 methamphetamine lab incidents in Massachusetts 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, Massachusetts, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	0	2004	1
2000	0	2005	3
2001	1	2006	1
2002	0	2007	3
2003	1	2008	3

During FY 2008, 42.7% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Massachusetts had committed a drug offense. Approximately 4.5% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Massachusetts)

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 2007, there were 157 admissions to treatment in Massachusetts in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 0.2% 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 July 2, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Massachusetts, please contact the Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline at 800-327-5050 or visit the Helpline Web site. 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 through 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.