Methamphetamine in Georgia

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine abuse continues to be a premier threat throughout the state. Since 2002, most of the significant meth seizures in the state were the result of stash/distribution site raids or state/local interdiction stops. Traditionally, the clandestine laboratory hot spots were in the northwestern counties; however, there have been slight shifts in laboratory activity near the extreme southwestern and eastern counties of the state. In 2005, legislation was enacted to restrict the sale of over-the-counter products containing pseudoephedrine, an essential chemical used in producing methamphetamine. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Georgia State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.81% of persons aged 12 or older in Georgia reported using methamphetamine within the past year. (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 Georgia students show that approximately 4.0% of 9th graders, 4.2% of 10th graders, 4.4% of 11th graders, and 6.7% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lifetimes. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Online: Comprehensive Results, 2008)

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 21 children affected by, 0 children injured at, and 0 children killed at methamphetamine laboratories in Georgia during 2008.  There were 16 children affected by (0 injured/0 killed at) methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009).

The Georgia Alliance for Drug Endangered Children works collaboratively to:

• Prevent abuse to children caused by the manufacture, distribution, sale and use of drugs
• Rescue, defend, shelter and support children who suffer physical and psychological harm caused by methamphetamine, alcohol and other drugs

Enforcement

According to data reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there were 687 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 2,421 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Georgia during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 65 kilograms of methamphetamine in Georgia. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Georgia State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 78 methamphetamine lab incidents in Georgia during 2008. This includes all meth incidents, including labs, dumpsites, and/or chemical and glassware seizures. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Maps of Methamphetamine Lab Incidents)

Number of Meth Lab Incidents, Georgia, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	27	2004	261
2000	54	2005	131
2001	59	2006	156
2002	127	2007	67
2003	250	2008	78

During FY 2008, 26% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Georgia had committed a drug offense. Approximately 13.0% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Georgia)

Prevention

If you would like to share information about your methamphetamine prevention program's efforts with us for possible inclusion on our site, please contact us.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2006, there were 1,924 admissions to treatment in Georgia in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 8.9% of the total drug and alcohol admissions to treatment in the state. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, State Treatment Data, report run on May 5, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Georgia, please contact the Georgia Department of Health at 800-338-6745 or conduct a search for programs on the Georgia Treatment Centers Web site. 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.