Survey: Counties Struggling to Control Meth Abuse

WASHINGTON – Methamphetamine use continues to fill correctional facilities and burden counties throughout the United States, according a recent survey by the National Association of Counties.

In a survey of 500 counties titled, “The Criminal Effects of Meth in Communities,” half of the counties reported that one out of every five inmates in their jurisdiction is incarcerated for a meth-related charge. More than half of the inmate population in 17 percent of the remaining counties is composed of meth-related offenders, according to the survey.

Law enforcement agencies surveyed say meth-related arrests are up 88 percent from five years ago. The Upper Midwest, Southwest and Northwest saw the greatest increase in arrests, each reporting a 93 percent jump. The Lower Midwest reported a 90 percent increase, while the Northeast jumped 54 percent.

Individually, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Washington and Wyoming all reported a 100-percent increase in meth-related arrests. South Dakota, Kansas, Idaho, California and Montana were all in the 90 percent range.

The survey states that nearly 60 percent of officials in 500 counties believe that meth poses the largest current drug problem. However, only 16 percent of law enforcement officials reported that their county has a rehabilitation center to treat meth users and 81 percent reported that their county has no treatment centers.