Methamphetamine in Washington

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine is a widely abused drug in Washington and one which impacts all levels of the community. Crystal methamphetamine (aka “ice”), which dominates the market as the preferred form of methamphetamine, is readily available throughout the state. Mexican drug trafficking organizations are primarily responsible for the importation and distribution of methamphetamine in Washington, most of which is now produced in Mexico. Clandestine methamphetamine lab activity within the state has decreased over the years. This is likely due in part to state and federal legislation, which has hindered accessibility to chemicals such as pseudoephedrine. (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.45% of persons aged 12 or older in Washington reported using methamphetamine within the past year. (Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007)

Results of a 2008 survey of Washington students show that approximately 2.8% of 8th graders, 4.7% of 10th graders, and 5.6% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lives. (Washington State Department of Health, State Youth Survey, 2008, 2009)

The Washington State Attorney General’s Office provides information regarding the effect of methamphetamine on the state through the Operation: Allied Against Meth section of their Web site. Law enforcement efforts, the effect of methamphetamine on children, education and community outreach, relevant legislation, and additional resources are provided.  

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 2 children affected by methamphetamine laboratories in Washington during 2008.  There were 7 children affected by methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (Source: El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

The Washington State Drug Endangered Children (DEC) program is a coordinated and collaborative approach to assist communities in dealing with the impact that methamphetamine use and production can have on the state’s children.  Many of these children live in filthy conditions, are exposed to toxic chemicals, and are neglected and abused.

Enforcement

There were 706 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 3,800 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Washington during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 75.2 kilograms of methamphetamine in Washington. (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 137 methamphetamine lab incidents in Washington during 2008. This includes all meth incidents, including labs, dumpsites, and/or chemical and glassware seizures. (Source: Drug Enforcement Administration, Maps of Methamphetamine Lab Incidents)

Number of Meth Lab Incidents, Washington, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	599	2004	947
2000	944	2005	532
2001	1,480	2006	206
2002	1,443	2007	238
2003	1,011	2008	137

During FY 2008, 29.9% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Washington had committed a drug offense. Approximately 32.9% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (Source: U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Washington)

Prevention

The Washington Meth Watch Program is a collaborative initiative to curtail drug lab activity by making the theft or purchase of precursor products more difficult.  The group consists of grocery markets, drug stores, convenience stores, auto parts stores, pet/farming supply stores, banks/credit unions, security firms, property managers, and storage facilities linked together to prevent theft, fraud, and meth abuse in the community.

The Community Action Team (CAT) is a coalition of concerned citizens who have taken on the responsibility of addressing byproducts of the methamphetamine trade in Washington communities. Such byproducts include crime, environmental damage, and neighborhood disturbance. CAT's goal is to educate others about drug-affected neighborhoods and facilitate prevention, enforcement, rehabilitation and restitution in order to heal afflicted neighborhoods and individuals.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 5,211 admissions to treatment in Washington in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 13.2% 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 April 27, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Washington, please contact Certified Chemical Dependency Services at 800-562-1240. 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 your 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.