Methamphetamine in Missouri

Meth Situation and Prevalence

The methamphetamine market in Missouri differs greatly between the eastern and western halves of the state. The western half of the state is dominated by crystal “ice” methamphetamine, supplied by organizations based out of Mexico, California, and the southwest United States, and transported to the area by the traditional highway transportation organizations. Although “ice” is generally perceived to be higher in purity, lower purity levels have been found in many exhibits. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Missouri State Factsheet, 2009)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.8% of persons aged 12 or older in Missouri 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 Missouri students show that approximately 2.9% of 9th graders, 2.3% of 10th graders, 4.6% of 11th graders, and 4.7% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lifetimes. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Online: Comprehensive Results, 2008)

The Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse offers annual Status Reports on Missouri's alcohol and drug abuse problems which compares state and national rates of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use (including methamphetamine use) and presents estimates of substance abuse treatment need. The report also provides statewide, regional, and county-level data on substance abuse indicators and number of individuals served in Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse treatment programs.

Methamphetamine in Missouri 2004, prepared by the Missouri Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, describes methamphetamine manufacturing and trafficking, physiological reactions, and health consequences associated with its use. It also includes both state and national epidemiological data describing the prevalence of methamphetamine use as reported by the Community Epidemiology Work Group.

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 126 children affected by methamphetamine laboratories in Missouri during 2008.  There were 89 children affected by and 2 injured at methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (Source: El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

The Missouri Alliance for Drug Endangered Children supports communities in serving and protecting children and families from drug environments.

Enforcement

There were 789 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 1,709 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Missouri during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 14.1 kilograms of methamphetamine in Missouri. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Missouri State Factsheet, 2009)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 1,471 methamphetamine lab incidents in Missouri 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, Missouri, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	439	2004	2,788
2000	889	2005	2,176
2001	2,180	2006	1,288
2002	2,767	2007	1,268
2003	2,885	2008	1,471

During FY 2008, 37.7% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Missouri had committed a drug offense. Approximately 30.7% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Missouri)

Prevention

The Methamphetamine Awareness Project site provides information on how to spot a meth lab, the effects of meth labs on children, how to report meth activities, the consequences of meth on the community as well as additional community resources.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 4,396 admissions to treatment in Missouri in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 9.2% 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 May 15, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Missouri, please visit the How and Where to Get Help site 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.