Methamphetamine in Mississippi

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine is the fastest growing drug threat in Mississippi and law enforcement reporting indicates that it is replacing crack cocaine as the primary drug threat due to the availability, low cost, and long lasting effect.  Most of the methamphetamine available for resale in Mississippi is produced in and transported from Mexico via the Southwest Border states.  Most of the methamphetamine produced in Mississippi is for local consumption and local markets.  Caucasian independent groups are the primary producers of methamphetamine manufactured in Mississippi.  African American independent groups are becoming involved in the use and distribution of methamphetamine. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Mississippi State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.59% of persons aged 12 or older in Mississippi 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 Mississippi students show that approximately 4.2% of 9th graders, 4.1% of 10th graders, 4.6% of 11th graders, and 3.6% 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 66 children affected by methamphetamine laboratories in Mississippi during 2008.  There were 46 children affected by methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

Enforcement

There were 212 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 756 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Mississippi during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 2.4 kilograms of methamphetamine in Mississippi. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Mississippi State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 296 methamphetamine lab incidents in Mississippi 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, Mississippi, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	57	2004	267
2000	126	2005	187
2001	224	2006	145
2002	462	2007	157
2003	319	2008	296

During FY 2008, 25.7% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Mississippi had committed a drug offense. Approximately 22.8% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Mississippi)

Prevention

The Mississippi 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 2007, there were 373 admissions to treatment in Mississippi in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 6.2% 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 Mississippi, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Facility Locator service at 800-662-HELP (4357). You can also 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.