Methamphetamine in Virginia

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Localized clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine has decreased, seemingly due to the passage of state and Federal laws regulating precursors. Most lab activity is still centered on the far southwestern corner of the state bordering West Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. The Shenandoah Valley region contains the highest percentage of methamphetamine abusers in the state, and is supplied by Mexican drug trafficking organizations; the high volume of Mexican immigrants in the area has allowed expansion of existing Mexican drug-trafficking networks. (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Virginia State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.37% of persons aged 12 or older in Virginia 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 2005 survey of Virginia students show that approximately 1% of 8th graders, 5% of 10th graders, and 4% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lives. (Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services, Virginia Community Youth Survey: 2005 Virginia Prevention Needs Assessment: Alcohol and Other Drugs, 2006)

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 3 children affected by methamphetamine laboratories in Virginia during 2008.  There was 1 child affected by methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (Source: El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

Enforcement

There were 450 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 532 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Virginia during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 3.2 kilograms of methamphetamine in Virginia. (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Virginia State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 19 methamphetamine lab incidents in Virginia 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, Virginia, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	8	2004	75
2000	1	2005	52
2001	5	2006	23
2002	10	2007	22
2003	30	2008	19

During FY 2008, 34.1% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Virginia had committed a drug offense. Approximately 13.9% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (Source: U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Virginia)

Prevention

The Virginia Attorney General’s Office has created the Virginia Methamphetamine Reduction Initiative to promote community awareness of the methamphetamine problem, while working with retailers, pharmacies, corporate partners and local governments to eradicate the drug from Virginia communities.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 269 admissions to treatment in Virginia in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 0.8% 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 Virginia, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Facility Locator service at 800-662-HELP (4357). You can also conduct a search for programs online using the Treatment Facility Locator Web site.

If you would like to contact the substance abuse agency in your 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.