Methamphetamine in Texas

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Availability of methamphetamine remains high in north Texas, and the pace of enforcement activities surrounding methamphetamine continues to escalate. However, Mexican manufactured methamphetamine now dominates the market in the Dallas Field Division. The availability of both Mexican and locally produced methamphetamine in the DEA’s Houston Division is increasing. Most of the Mexican manufactured methamphetamine transported to the region comes from Mexico, California, and Arizona through traditional means, such as passenger and commercial vehicles. (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.74% of persons aged 12 or older in Texas reported using methamphetamine within the past year. (Source: 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 Texas students show that approximately 5.5% of 9th graders, 7.5% of 10th graders, 6.3% of 11th graders, and 7.8% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lifetimes. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Online: Comprehensive Results, 2008)

On the Methamphetamine section of the Texas Department of State Health Services site, data are provided regarding methamphetamine trends in the state.

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 6 children affected by methamphetamine laboratories in Texas during 2008.  There were 15 children affected by methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (Source: El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

The Texas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (DEC) is available to provide training and consultation to Texas communities interested in creating their own local DEC programs. As part of their efforts, they have developed inter-agency protocols that outline the appropriate process for handling children found in these dangerous environments.

Enforcement

There were 7,972 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 9,036 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Texas during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 783.6 kilograms of methamphetamine in Texas. (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Texas State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 112 methamphetamine lab incidents in Texas 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, Texas, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	177	2004	452
2000	429	2005	270
2001	619	2006	132
2002	547	2007	79
2003	677	2008	112

During FY 2008, 29.5% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Texas had committed a drug offense. Approximately 11.9% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (Source: U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Texas)

Prevention

Texas Meth Watch is designed to help curtail the theft and suspicious sales of pseudoephedrine products, as well as other common household products used in the illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine. A key goal of this program is to promote cooperation between retailers and law enforcement to prevent the diversion of legitimate products for illegal use.   

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 3,668 admissions to treatment in Texas in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 8.0% of the total drug and alcohol admissions to treatment in the state. (Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, State Treatment Data, report run on April 16, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Texas, please contact Texas’s Treatment Program Locator at 877-966-3784. 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.