Methamphetamine in Tennessee

Meth Situation and Prevalence

The availability and demand for methamphetamine continues to increase throughout Tennessee. Much of the methamphetamine consumed in the state is transported from Mexico and the southwest border states. Clandestine methamphetamine labs can be found everywhere in Tennessee, but are predominantly located in the Appalachian areas in Eastern Tennessee. The labs that are discovered in Tennessee are generally characterized as small and unsophisticated. These labs continue to pose a significant threat because lab operators are frequently armed and substantially involved in the drug's distribution and therefore tend to place booby traps around the sites. An increase in methamphetamine use and abuse is anticipated in Tennessee as the drug gains popularity over crack cocaine use. This trend is attributed to the highly addictive nature of methamphetamine, particularly Ice. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Tennessee State Factsheet, 2009)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.39% of persons aged 12 or older in Tennessee 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 Tennessee students show that approximately 3.0% of 9th graders, 4.8% of 10th graders, 3.8% 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)

The Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force site provides links to a registry of meth offenders, former lab locations, and homes that have been quarantined as a result of meth manufacturing.

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 69 children affected by and 4 children injured at methamphetamine laboratories in Tennessee during 2008.  There were 65 children affected by methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

The Tennessee Alliance for Drug Endangered Children is a collaborative statewide multi-disciplinary effort to prevent drug related harm to children and rescue, defend, shelter and support Tennessee’s children who suffer physical and psychological harm caused by the manufacture, distribution, sale and use of illegal drugs, and abuse of prescription drugs and alcohol.

Enforcement

There were 837 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 1,891 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Tennessee during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 144.7 kilograms of methamphetamine in Tennessee. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Tennessee State Factsheet, 2009)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 553 methamphetamine lab incidents in Tennessee 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, Tennessee, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	143	2004	1,327
2000	249	2005	873
2001	495	2006	401
2002	608	2007	547
2003	953	2008	553

During FY 2008, 37.3% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Tennessee had committed a drug offense. Approximately 24.2% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Tennessee)

Prevention

The Meth-Free Tennessee Web site presents information about the dangers associated with methamphetamine, not only to the user but also to those who come in contact with the user or the drug. The Web site also provides a means for locating programs at the local level to join efforts in the fight against methamphetamine. Downloadable materials and public service announcements can also be found on the Meth-Free Tennessee site.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 275 admissions to treatment in Tennessee in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 2.8% 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 April 16, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Tennessee, please contact the Treatment Referral Help Line at 800-889-9789. 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.