Methamphetamine in Utah

Meth Situation and Prevalence

For the past several years, seizures of methamphetamine labs have declined substantially in Utah. This decline is attributed to a number of factors, including strict precursor legislation, community awareness and education campaigns, as well as aggressive law enforcement efforts. However, this reduction in local labs has been accompanied by an increase in the availability of methamphetamine produced in Mexico. (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Utah State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.10% of persons aged 12 or older in Utah 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 Utah students show that approximately 2.1% of 9th graders, 3.6% of 10th graders, 6.1% of 11th graders, and 13.8% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lifetimes. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Online: Comprehensive Results, 2008)

The Utah Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council has created a Meth Quickfacts document to provide information on methamphetamine in Utah including background/history, consequences of use, consequences of production, prevalence, and usage.

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, injured at, or killed at methamphetamine labs in Utah during 2008. There was 1 child affected by (0 injured or killed at) methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (Source: El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

The Utah Alliance for Drug Endangered Children (DEC), comprised of multi-disciplinary professionals in local communities throughout Utah, provides technical assistance to Utah communities in creating their own local DEC programs and has streamlined protocols to serve children identified in illegal drug environments.

Enforcement

There were 74 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 326 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Utah during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 21.5 kilograms of methamphetamine in Utah. (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Utah State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 7 methamphetamine lab incidents in Utah 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, Utah, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	241	2004	72
2000	209	2005	54
2001	162	2006	15
2002	121	2007	5
2003	85	2008	7

During FY 2008, 18.1% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Utah had committed a drug offense. Approximately 67.5% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (Source: U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Utah)

Prevention

In January 2006, the Utah Methamphetamine Joint Task Force was created to comprehensively address the meth problem in Utah. An aspect of the program was the creation of meth-specific lessons for the junior and senior high school components of Utah's school-based K-12 Prevention Dimensions curriculum. Additionally, measures of meth use among Utah youth are captured through the biannual Prevention Needs Assessment school survey.

Utah’s End Meth Now statewide awareness campaign is designed to educate Utah citizens about the effects of methamphetamine abuse, its impact on Utah families, and the services available to citizens seeking help for themselves or for someone they love.

The Utah Department of Health has created the Methamphetamine Web site to help provide information about methamphetamine decontamination, toxicology, current research on health concerns, information and resources for children found in meth contaminated environments and many additional resources for those seeking additional information regarding the drug.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 3,027 admissions to treatment in Utah in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 20.3% 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 Utah, please contact the Utah Methamphetamine Joint Task Force Treatment Centers at 211. 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.