Methamphetamine
Impacts Georgia’s Communities
Law Enforcement | Safety
| Health
As
a law enforcement problem….
| Methamphetamine (meth) poses an increasing threat to Georgia,
particularly in the northern and central sections of the state.
Most of the meth available is produced by Mexican drug trafficking
organizations and other criminal groups in high volume labs in
Mexico, California and other southwestern states. It is transported
into Georgia using commercial and private vehicles and sold to
a variety of other criminal groups in the state. Mexican criminal
groups, local dealers and gang members are the principal retail
distributors, but meth also is made by local independent producers,
many of whom are addicts who operate makeshift labs to support
their own habits. |
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Meth prices have decreased from 2000 to 2002 possibly indicating
increased availability. Purity levels of meth produced outside
the state ranged from 2-18 percent while locally produced meth
ranged from 61-99 percent. Seizure data reflects ready availability
while the percentage of drug-related federal sentences in Georgia
involving meth was significantly higher than the national percentage
in FY2000 (25% as compared to 15% nationwide) Production, distribution
and abuse are often associated with violent crime including assault,
homicide, and weapons violations. Meth addicts often commit crimes
of domestic violence including abuse and neglect. |
As
a safety problem…
In June 2001, a 15-month
child died from severe burns caused by a meth lab explosion.
The explosion occurred 4 months earlier at a lab operated by
the child’s parents.
Source: Catoosa County Sheriff
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The production process involves the
use of volatile chemicals and creates toxic and hazardous waste
and endangers law enforcement personnel, emergency response teams,
adults and children in production areas, and the environment.
Labs create 5-7 pounds of toxic waste for every 1 lb. of produced
meth. Most of the toxic residue is dumped in the local area, killing
vegetation and contaminating water supplies and soil.
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As
a health problem…
Treatment data indicate a dramatic increase in meth-related
admissions to publicly-funded facilities. While still lower than
admissions for cocaine and marijuana abuse, the number of meth
cases more than doubled from 1997 to 2001 and tripled by 2003.
It is currently abused by a diverse population. Traditional abusers
have been predominantly blue-collar workers; however in 2000 a
new population including white collar professionals and college
students emerged. White teenagers and young adults, primarily
in central and northern Georgia also abuse meth often in combination
with other drugs at raves or nightclubs.
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Meth
Addicts Flood Treatment
Georgia, 1997-2003 |
| Year |
Cocaine |
Marijuaua |
Amphetamine* |
Heroin |
Hallucinogen |
| 1997 |
4,636 |
2,672 |
451 |
171 |
20 |
| 1998 |
3,592 |
2,153 |
319 |
186 |
3 |
| 1999 |
4,505 |
2,497 |
263 |
202 |
17 |
| 2000 |
7,915 |
3,791 |
630 |
429 |
38 |
| 2001 |
9,052 |
4,636 |
953 |
628 |
53 |
| 2002 |
7,684 |
4,730 |
1,587 |
670 |
40 |
| 2003 |
8,501 |
5,386 |
2,793 |
636 |
20 |
| Source: Office of Applied Studies,
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,
Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS). Based on administrative
data reported by States through 4.14.2004 |
| *Includes methamphetamine and
other amphetamines to include amphetamines, Benzedrine,
Dexedrine, preludin, Ritalin and any other amines and related
drugs. |
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As a powerful stimulant, methamphetamine, even in small doses,
can increase wakefulness and physical activity and decrease
appetite. A brief, intense rush is reported by those who smoke
or inject meth. Oral ingestion or snorting produces a long-lasting
high instead of a rush, which reportedly can continue for
as long as half a day. Both the rush and the high are believed
to result from the release of very high levels of the neurotransmitter
dopamine into areas of the brain that regulate feelings of
pleasure. Meth has toxic effects. In animals, a single high
dose of the drug has been shown to damage brain nerve terminals.
The large release of dopamine produced by meth is thought
to contribute to the toxic effects on nerve terminals. High
doses can elevate body temperature to dangerous, sometimes
lethal, levels, and cause convulsions.
Source: U.S. Department of
Justice, National Drug Intelligence Center
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