Methamphetamine Abuse in Arkansas

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DEA Assessment:

In less than ten years, methamphetamine has grown from a problem limited to the Southwest and Pacific regions of the United States to Arkansas' primary drug of concern.¹

Methamphetamine Use among State Population (2002-2005):

4.8% of persons aged 12 or older reported using meth one or more times during their life.²
4.4% of young adults aged 18-25 reported past year methamphetamine use.
1.2% of persons aged 12 or older reported past year methamphetamine use.³

Methamphetamine use among High School Students (2005):

9% of students reported using methamphetamine one or more times during their life.⁴

Drug Offenses:

45% of 2005 Federal Drug Cases in Arkansas involved methamphetamine.⁵

Lab Incidents:

There were 426 lab incidents in 2006.⁶

Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine Abuse:

3,174 treatment admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse in 2005;
25% of all drug abuse treatment admissions.⁷

State Laws Pertaining to Precursor Chemicals:

Any ephedrine or pseudoephedrine product limited to no more than three packages, with any single package containing not more than ninety-six liquid capsules or liquid gel capsules or not more than three grams of ephedrine or pseudo ephedrine base; Products dispensed pursuant to a valid prescription; Products may only be sold in a licensed pharmacy by a licensed pharmacist or a registered pharmacy technician; Purchaser must be at least 18 years old; Purchaser to present current and valid proof of identity and sign a written or electronic log or receipt that documents the purchaser's address, date of the transaction, the name of the person, the name and quantity of pseudo ephedrine or ephedrine; Records must be maintained for 2 years.⁸

1 2006 DEA State Fact Sheets. Available: http://www.dea.gov/pubs/state_factsheets.html
2 Prevalence Estimates 2002-2004. NSDUH. Office of Applied Studies. SAMHSA. Available: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/statesIndex.htm#2k4
3 Prevalence Estimates for 2002-2005. NSDUH. Office of Applied Studies. SAMHSA. Available: http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/2k6/stateMeth/stateMeth.htm
4 YRBSS. CDC. Available: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/
5 Federal Sentencing Stats. U.S. Sentencing Commission. Available: http://www.ussc.gov/JUDPACK/JP2005.htm
6 Maps of Methamphetamine Lab Incidents. DEA. Available: http://www.dea.gov/concern/map_lab_seizures.html
7 TEDS. Drug and Alcohol Services Information System. SAMHSA. Available: http://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/newmapv1.htm
8 Methamphetamine Precursor Laws. National Association of Chain Drug Stores. Available: http://www.nacds.org/wmspage.cfm?parm1=3814