Methamphetamine in North Carolina

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Although domestic methamphetamine production is waning, Mexican-manufactured methamphetamine, primarily in the crystalline form, is readily available in the large metropolitan centers of the state, and increasingly in the rural communities. Most methamphetamine in North Carolina is imported in multi-pound quantities from Mexico through the southwest border states, but a significant amount also comes from Mexican sources of supply based in the Atlanta metropolitan/northern Georgia area. (Drug Enforcement Administration, North Carolina State Factsheet, 2009)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.32% of persons aged 12 or older in North Carolina 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 North Carolina students show that approximately 3.0% of 9th graders, 6.1% of 10th graders, 3.0% of 11th graders, and 6.2% 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 40 children affected by methamphetamine laboratories in North Carolina during 2008.  There were 28 children affected by and 1 injured at methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

Enforcement

There were 149 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 1,046 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in North Carolina during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 19.2 kilograms of methamphetamine in North Carolina. (Drug Enforcement Administration, North Carolina State Factsheet, 2009)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 196 methamphetamine lab incidents in North Carolina during 2008. This includes all meth incidents, including labs, dumpsites, and/or chemical and glassware seizures. (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Maps of Methamphetamine Lab Incidents)

Number of Meth Lab Incidents, North Carolina, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	6	2004	318
2000	14	2005	322
2001	32	2006	187
2002	47	2007	154
2003	168	2008	196

During FY 2008, 38.1% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in North Carolina had committed a drug offense. Approximately 18.7% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of North Carolina)

Prevention

The North Carolina Attorney General’s Office has created a Join the Fight Against Meth section on their Web site to provide information about the signs associated with a meth lab, resources to help addicts get the treatment they need, and prevent people from experiencing the pain caused by methamphetamine addiction.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 286 admissions to treatment in North Carolina in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 1.1% 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 28, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in North Carolina, please 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.