NCJ Number
235949
Date Published
May 2011
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This document represents a culmination of lessons and innovative strategies that emerged from a series of "Meth Summits" in over 25 States, attended by individuals and key stakeholders from diverse sectors, and also from the efforts of many individuals and organizations involved in methamphetamine policy, legislation, and service delivery for the past 50 years.
Abstract
This paper first presents an overview of the evolution of the use of methamphetamine, which can be traced back to its 1940s use in Allentown, PA and the surrounding area, followed by its spread west to California in the 1960s, largely through its use by biker gangs. Its use and production then grew from hot spots in California and Washington State to widespread use in rural communities in the Midwest and then spread in waves from coast to coast. In the National Drug Threat Survey of 2006, 38.8 percent of State and local law enforcement officials nationwide reported methamphetamine to be the greatest drug threat to their communities, a higher percentage than for any other drug. The danger methamphetamine poses is not only to its users but also to whole communities where meth labs can be created in apartments, hotel rooms, rented storage spaces, and trucks. The health risks of these labs are substantial because of the various chemicals involved in and emitted from its manufacture. In addition, the disposal of the waste as well as the storage of constituent substances often leads to fires and explosions, as well as environmental contamination. The methamphetamine crisis that has captured national attention through the Methamphetamine Summits is being met through community policing that involves community-based interagency cooperation and coordination that is implementing a multipronged strategy of prevention, treatment, and specialized law enforcement training and action. An appended listing of the locations and themes of the Methamphetamine Summits and a table of meth resources