Methamphetamine in Ohio

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine manufacturing has stabilized due to pseudoephedrine sales restrictions and a computerized database to track pseudoephedrine sales at Ohio pharmacies. Small lab operators continue to manufacture methamphetamine in one to two ounce quantities for personal use and for distribution at the local level. Primary suppliers of large quantities of methamphetamine are Mexican drug trafficking organizations. In Southern Ohio, Mexican methamphetamine is becoming more prevalent. Methamphetamine coming from Mexico in the form of “Ice” is readily available throughout Ohio. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Ohio State Factsheet, 2009)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.29% of persons aged 12 or older in Ohio 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 Ohio students show that approximately 4.4% of 9th graders, 4.5% of 10th graders, 7.4% of 11th graders, and 7.4% 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 Ohio during 2008.  There were 37 children affected by and 3 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 172 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 606 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Ohio during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 1.6 kilograms/105 dosage units of methamphetamine in Ohio. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Ohio State Factsheet, 2009)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 162 methamphetamine lab incidents in Ohio 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, Ohio, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	14	2004	286
2000	29	2005	335
2001	89	2006	243
2002	97	2007	157
2003	124	2008	162

During FY 2008, 41.8% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Ohio had committed a drug offense. Approximately 2.2% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Ohio)

Prevention

The Meth section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Web site provides information about methamphetamine and the services offered by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation to assist law enforcement and provide awareness about the dangers of methamphetamine and meth labs.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2007, there were 707 admissions to treatment in Ohio in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 0.7% 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 Ohio, please visit the Provider Directory site or call 800-788-7254. 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.