Impact of Methamphetamine on Georgia

• NCJ Number: 216024
• Author(s): Tammy Meredith Ph.D.; John Spier Ph.D.; Sharon Johnson; Heather Hull; Jake Bucher; Aishia Rogers
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 68 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2005-BJ-CX-K023
• Sponsoring Agency: Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS)
• Corporate Author: Applied Research Services, Inc.
• Sale Source: Applied Research Services, Inc.
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report provides empirical research on the problem of methamphetamine (meth) in Georgia.

Abstract

The research review and survey results indicate that meth is having an increasing negative impact on the State of Georgia, particularly in the northern part of the State in suburban and rural areas. Following the executive summary, chapter 1 introduces the study on the impact of meth on Georgia, which relied on a variety of types of data, including survey, arrest, and treatment information. Chapter 2 presents research on the personal toll of meth abuse before offering an analysis of meth trends in the United States. Research revealed that small metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties were more adversely impacted by meth, as were jurisdictions in the West and Midwest portions of the country. Research also indicates that the number of meth lab seizures is declining while meth imports from Mexico are increasing. Chapter 3 presents research on clandestine meth labs, meth arrests, meth-related incarcerations, and meth treatment in Georgia. Meth arrests in the State increased 132 percent between 2001 and 2005, while meth-related prison admissions increased 96 percent during the same period. Trend analysis suggests that meth poses the greatest threat to suburban counties in Georgia. Chapter 4 presents results from a series of surveys throughout Georgia on the impact of meth on the State. Surveys were conducted of law enforcement personnel, emergency responders, drug court personnel, drug treatment providers, child welfare caseworkers, and domestic violence shelter personnel. Results indicate that meth has had a negative impact on communities and families in Georgia. Increasing meth-related arrests are coupled with an inability to meet the growing treatment needs of meth-involved addicts. Chapter 5 offers recommendations for future research, including the advice to secure funding to test all arrestees and to update child welfare case management intake systems to include information about substance abuse. Tables, figures, appendixes