Methamphetamine in Minnesota

Meth Situation and Prevalence

The methamphetamine threat in Minnesota is a two-pronged problem. First, large quantities of methamphetamine produced by Mexican organizations based in Mexico and operating in the states of Texas, California, Arizona, and Washington are transported into and distributed throughout the state. These traffickers typically send methamphetamine in 10-20 pound shipments via various forms of transportation. Law enforcement has also determined that some smaller amounts are being sent through the U.S. mail or Federal Express. Second, methamphetamine is being produced in small, toxic laboratories that are capable of producing only a few ounces at a time. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Minnesota State Factsheet, 2009)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.65% of persons aged 12 or older in Minnesota 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)

Developed by the Minnesota Department of Health, Methamphetamine in Minnesota: A Report on the Impact of One Illicit Drug  provides data, trends, and costs associated with methamphetamine in Minnesota.

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 7 children affected by methamphetamine laboratories in Minnesota during 2008.  There were 12 children affected by methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

On the Children and Methamphetamine section of the Minnesota Department of Health Web site, information is available regarding Minnesota statutes on child neglect and endangerment, child protection protocols for children found in meth lab sites, and resources on the effects of meth on children.

Enforcement

There were 53 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 480 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Minnesota during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 25.4 kilograms of methamphetamine in Minnesota. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Minnesota State Factsheet, 2009)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 21 methamphetamine lab incidents in Minnesota 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, Minnesota, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	100	2004	168
2000	123	2005	88
2001	154	2006	33
2002	250	2007	27
2003	309	2008	21

During FY 2008, 51.3% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Minnesota had committed a drug offense. Approximately 45.5% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Minnesota)

Prevention

Revealing Meth in Minnesota is part of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association’s statewide effort to provide educational resources to recognize the signs of methamphetamine use and manufacture, and understand the impact meth has on users and the cost it carries for every part of society.

The Minnesota Meth Watch program is designed to help curtail the theft and suspicious sales of pseudoephedrine products, as well as other common household products used in the illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine in small, toxic labs. A key goal of this program is to promote cooperation between retailers and law enforcement to prevent the diversion of legitimate products for illegal use.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 3,395 admissions to treatment in Minnesota in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 7.4% 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 15, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Minnesota, please visit the Chemical Dependency Treatment Facilities by County site or contact the Addiction Hotline at 866-379-6363. 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.