Methamphetamine in North Dakota

Meth Situation and Prevalence

The methamphetamine threat in North Dakota is a two-pronged problem. First, large quantities of methamphetamine produced by Mexican organizations based in California and Washington are transported into and distributed throughout the state. Second, methamphetamine is produced in small, toxic laboratories that are capable of producing only a few ounces at a time. North Dakota’s State General Assembly passed legislation requiring that every individual who purchases a product containing pseudoephedrine must show photo identification. This legislation has resulted in a sharp decline in the local production of methamphetamine, and a sharp decline in thefts of anhydrous ammonia, commonly used in the "Birch" methamphetamine manufacturing method. (Drug Enforcement Administration, North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 Dakota students show that approximately 3.1% of 9th graders, 2.4% of 10th graders, 4.9% of 11th graders, and 5.5% 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 was 1 child affected by methamphetamine laboratories in North Dakota during 2008. There were 0 children affected by, injured at, or killed at methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

Enforcement

There were 13 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 50 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in North Dakota during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 0.7 kilograms of methamphetamine in North Dakota. (Drug Enforcement Administration, North Dakota State Factsheet, 2009)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 27 methamphetamine lab incidents in North Dakota 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, North Dakota, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	13	2004	234
2000	34	2005	159
2001	85	2006	37
2002	207	2007	18
2003	252	2008	27

During FY 2008, 37% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in North Dakota had committed a drug offense. Approximately 84% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of North Dakota)

Prevention

North Dakota’s Office of the Attorney General participates in the Retail Meth Watch program to offer retailers with assistance in combating the unlawful purchase of products containing methamphetamine precursors by methamphetamine manufacturers. Also provided is an overview of related state and federal laws and the associated requirements.

The goal of North Dakota’s Rural Methamphetamine Education Project (RMEP) is to develop and deliver a public awareness and education campaign to children, schools, teachers, parents, and communities regarding methamphetamine.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 180 admissions to treatment in North Dakota in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 7.7% 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 21, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in North Dakota, 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.