With drug cartels in Mexico now cashing in on the Methamphetamine trade along with other drugs, the whole face of drug control is ever-changing. From the proliferation of the internet, to the sweeping state laws restricting the sale of pseudo ephedrine and requiring the cleanup of clandestine labs, all have had a part in the evolving Methamphetamine problem and solutions. The challenges we all face with Methamphetamine have all been dealt with in one way or the other with the spread of other illicit drug abuse.

“Meth now accounts for 22% of all drug arrests in America”

1. 2006: There are currently an estimated 1.4 million meth addicts in the United States (Dept. of Justice).
2. In the US about 11 million people have used meth – 1 million people use it regularly.
3. 2006: Every American family currently pays about $1,500 per year in taxes to combat illegal drug use in this country (Dept. of Justice).
4. 2003: Nationwide, 7.6% of high school seniors reported using meth within their lifetime (according to "Youth Risk Behavior Surveilance System"; ONDCP)
5. 2003: 5.8% of college students and 8.9% of young adults (ages 19-28) reported using meth at least once (according to "Youth Risk Behavior Surveilance System"; ONDCP)
6. 2003: 12.3 million Americans ages 12 and older reported trying meth at least once (according to "National Survey on Drug Use and Health"; ONDCP)
7. 2002: More than 7,500 meth labs were seized in 44 states
8. 1990’s – With proliferation of the internet, home cooking of meth spreads across country from Southwest to the Plains and Midwest.
9. 1970’s – Meth use and distribution associated with biker gangs
10. 1940’s – Widespread use during WWII. US, German, Japanese soldiers use amphetamines, “Soldier Drug”.
11. 1919 – Japanese chemist synthesizes the drug known as methamphetamine