Methamphetamine in Idaho

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Crystal Methamphetamine (ice) is a widely abused drug in Idaho, and continues to impact al elements of society. Idaho has experienced a dramatic decrease in methamphetamine labs as Mexican organizations turn to methamphetamine produced in Mexico. Recently, the quality and quantity of methamphetamine in Idaho has decreased while the price has increased. This may be the result of aggressive domestic law enforcement targeting and a crack down by Mexican law enforcement on the importation of precursor chemicals and methamphetamine labs in that country. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Idaho State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.38% of persons aged 12 or older in Idaho 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 Idaho students show that approximately 4.2% of 9th graders, 6.5% of 10th graders, 5.3% of 11th graders, and 8.1% 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 0 children affected by, 0 children injured at, and 0 children killed at methamphetamine laboratories in Idaho during 2008.  There were 5 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)

Enforcement

According to data reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there were 14 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 94 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Idaho during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 11.6 kilograms of methamphetamine in Idaho. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Idaho State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 8 methamphetamine lab incidents in Idaho 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, Idaho, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	132	2004	42
2000	127	2005	21
2001	131	2006	16
2002	119	2007	16
2003	91	2008	8

During FY 2008, 32.5% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Idaho had committed a drug offense. Approximately 74.4% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Idaho)

Prevention

The Idaho Meth Project is a large-scale prevention program aimed at significantly reducing first-time meth use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 1,950 admissions to treatment in Idaho in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 24.8% 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 May 5, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Idaho, please visit the Idaho Substance Abuse Services and Providers Web site or call 800-922-3406. 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.