Methamphetamine in Nevada

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine has become the principal drug of concern in Nevada. The state is both a point of importation and a transshipment location for methamphetamine. The manufacture of methamphetamine in Nevada occurs on a limited basis. The meth imported into the state is produced primarily in "super labs" (producing 10 pounds or more in a 24-hour period) by ethnic Mexican drug trafficking organizations operating in Mexico and California. Mexican produced crystal methamphetamine is the most readily available in Nevada but purity levels have decreased from a range of 90-99% in 2005/2006 to a range of 50-99% in 2008. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Nevada State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.63% of persons aged 12 or older in Nevada 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 Nevada students show that approximately 4.3% of 9th graders, 5.5% of 10th graders, 7.5% of 11th graders, and 8.9% 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, there were 0 children affected by, injured at, or killed at methamphetamine laboratories in Nevada during 2007 or 2008. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

Enforcement

There were 432 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 2,355 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Nevada during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 44.1 kilograms of methamphetamine in Nevada. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Nevada State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 6 methamphetamine lab incidents in Nevada 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, Nevada, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	290	2004	79
2000	283	2005	52
2001	259	2006	35
2002	105	2007	14
2003	131	2008	6

During FY 2008, 21.5% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Nevada had committed a drug offense. Approximately 73.1% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Nevada)

Prevention

The Nevada Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency (SAPTA) provides listings of substance abuse Prevention Coalitions and Certified Prevention Programs which are working to reduce and prevent substance use.

Treatment

The Nevada Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency (SAPTA) provides listings of substance abuse Prevention Coalitions and Certified Prevention Programs which are working to reduce and prevent substance use.

Search

Conduct a search of the MethResources database for additional information about methamphetamine in the state.