Methamphetamine in Nebraska

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine is the major drug of concern for law enforcement in Nebraska. Crystal methamphetamine or “ice” is readily available in Omaha and has become the preferred form of methamphetamine. The availability of imported methamphetamine is stable in all areas of Nebraska with a negligible presence of local low-yield labs in the rural areas. Hispanic controlled trafficking organizations import methamphetamine into Nebraska primarily in vehicles. Although these organizations are willing to sell their product to non-Hispanic organizations or individuals, control of the product from production until it reaches the consumer is usually kept within the Hispanic community. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Nebraska State Factsheet, 2009)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.01% of persons aged 12 or older in Nebraska 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 2005 survey of Nebraska students show that approximately 4.7% of 9th graders, 5.2% of 10th graders, 6.6% of 11th graders, and 6.8% 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 4 children affected by, 0 injured at, and 0 killed at methamphetamine laboratories in Nebraska during 2008. There were 0 affected by, injured at, or killed at labs during the state in 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

The Nebraska Alliance for Drug Endangered Children is a statewide, multidisciplinary collaboration empowering communities in preventing, protecting and serving children in drug endangered environments by providing resources, education, leadership and support.

Enforcement

There were 153 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 226 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Nebraska during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 8 kilograms of methamphetamine in Nebraska. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Nebraska State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 57 methamphetamine lab incidents in Nebraska 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, Nebraska, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	17	2004	205
2000	36	2005	230
2001	208	2006	28
2002	357	2007	25
2003	253	2008	57

During FY 2008, 54.1% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Nebraska had committed a drug offense. Approximately 52.2% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Nebraska)

Prevention

The Partners for Methamphetamine Prevention program is committed to providing education about methamphetamine and increasing awareness that meth shatters lives and destroys communities.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 1,148 admissions to treatment in Nebraska in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 7.1% 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 May 14, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Nebraska, please contact the Nebraska Treatment Referral Line at 800-648-4444. 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.