Methamphetamine in Oregon

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine abuse, trafficking, and manufacturing occur in Oregon. Methamphetamine is one of the most widely abused controlled substances in the state and availability is high. In the past, powder methamphetamine was most common; however, seizures show a switch to the more addictive and potent form of meth referred to as “ice” or “crystal.” (Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.23% of persons aged 12 or older in Oregon 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 2008 survey of Oregon 8th and 11th graders showed that 0.6% of 8th graders and 0.7% of 11th graders reported using methamphetamine within the past month. Approximately 1.1% of 8th graders and 1.8% of 11th graders reported methamphetamine use within the past year. (Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Healthy Teens Data, 2008)

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 0 children affected by or injured/killed at methamphetamine laboratories in Oregon during 2008.  There were also 0 children affected by or injured/killed at methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

The Oregon Drug Endangered Children Alliance facilitates collaborative efforts across all government and private organizations to prevent drug abuse, provide response resources to children when prevention fails, and aggressively break the cycles of drug abuse.

Enforcement

There were 49 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 799 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Oregon during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 34 kilograms of methamphetamine in Oregon. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 21 methamphetamine lab incidents in Oregon 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, Oregon, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	264	2004	472
2000	351	2005	189
2001	587	2006	55
2002	525	2007	22
2003	419	2008	21

During FY 2008, 30% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Oregon had committed a drug offense. Approximately 43% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Oregon)

Prevention

If you would like to share information about your methamphetamine prevention program's efforts with us for possible inclusion on our site, please contact us.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 6,538 admissions to treatment in Oregon in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 13.9% 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 17, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Oregon, please view the Alcohol and Other Drugs Service Directory or call 503-945-5763. 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.