DEA Assessment:

Methamphetamine is the primary drug threat in California. Within the state, Hispanics and Caucasians are the almost exclusive consumers of meth. Purity levels of meth have ranged from a low of 10% to a high of 100% pure. (1)

Drug Offenses:

In 2006 there were 510 meth-related arrests (28.4% of all drug cases in CA).  (1)

There were 3,761.0 kg of methamphetamine seized in 2010. (2)

Lab Incidents:

There were 170 lab incidents in 2010. (3)

There were 27 children endangered by meth labs in 2010. (4)

Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine Abuse: (5)

49,332 treatment admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse in 2009;

27.3% of all drug abuse treatment admissions.

For additional percentages giving the breakdown of age at admission, race, ethnicity, and sex please Click Here.

Legislation:

Point-of-Sale Restriction: Quantity (6)

California is not scheduled to vote on SB 315 until 2012.

SB 315

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

Existing law classifies controlled substances into 5 schedules, with the most restrictive limitations placed on controlled substances classified in Schedule I, and the least restrictive limitations placed on controlled substances classified in Schedule V. A controlled substance in any of the schedules may be possessed or dispensed only upon a lawful prescription, as specified. Existing law does not classify ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and specified related drugs within any of these 5 schedules, but provides that it is a crime, punishable as specified, for a person in this state who engages in specified transactions involving those drugs to fail to submit a report to the Department of Justice of all of those transactions, or to fail to submit an application to, and obtain a permit for the conduct of that business from, the Department of Justice, as specified.

This bill would provide, in addition, that any person who obtains ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, and specified related drugs without a prescription, as specified, shall be guilty of an infraction or a misdemeanor. The bill would make conforming changes to related provisions. By creating new crimes or revising the penalties for existing crimes involving ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and specified related drugs, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (7)

1. ONDCP: State of California: Profile of Drug Indicators. http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/statelocal/ca/ca.pdf
2. National Meth Center; State Resources. Available: http://www.nationalmethcenter.org/STATES.html
3. Total of All Meth Clandestine Laboratory Incidents Including Labs, Dumpsite, Chem/Glass/Equipment. Available: http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/meth_lab_maps/2010.jpg
4. MethResources.gov; State Resources. Available:   http://www.methresources.gov/Index.html
5. Treatment Admissions Data. Available: http://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/tedsweb/tab_year.choose_year_web_table?t_state=CA
6. Point of Sale Restrictions. Available: http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs38/38661/app-b.htm#TableB5
7. Senate Bill 315. Available: http://e-lobbyist.com/gaits/text/168041