Meth Problems Continue to be Major in Western US

While much of the nation would prefer to believe that the problem with methamphetamine is behind us, USA Today featured a front page article on the continuing problem of methamphetamine in Missouri and many rural areas in the U.S. (http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-12-20/meth-lab-missouri/52132328/1)

UCLA SARx’s Dr. Steve Shoptaw was quoted that on the contrary, the problem of methamphetamine continues at high levels in the West, Midwest and Mid-South regions of the U.S.

Among users, the functional aspects of methamphetamine in being able to focus attention, to increase energy, to brighten mood and so forth make it a perfect tool for short-term coping with problems in holding on to jobs, to working long hours and to passing time (for those who have already lost jobs/houses/families) as the global recession continues to grind on us all.

Of course, problems accrue with continued use of the drug at the levels of abuse and dependence.

Data showing the problem continues to be severe in areas of the US include:

In the metropolitan West and in rural areas, use of methamphetamine continues to be at or near record levels, despite a drop in reported use of the drug among Americans, particularly the North-east. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k10NSDUH/2k10Results.pdf.

In a report that compiled all job-based drug testing results conducted by Quest Diagnostics, the nation’s largest provider of workplace drug-testing, methamphetamine positive samples were up dramatically in Hawaii, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, California and other states that have long-standing problems with methamphetamine. The data highlight the increased use of the drug by working Americans who still have jobs. http://www.questdiagnostics.com/employersolutions/dti/2011_09/dti_index.html

So if you use meth for whatever reason, now would be a great time to quit. If you need information about methamphetamine treatment or are interested in participating in one of the UCLA SARx research or clinical programs for meth, call us at 866-449-UCLA.