DEA Assessment:

Methamphetamine is the most frequently encountered drug in Nevada and remains available in both personal use and distribution quantities. Mexican produced crystal methamphetamine is the most readily available in Nevada. Purity levels for Mexican produced crystal methamphetamine have decreased from the 90% to 99% range to the 50% range.

Nevada is both a point of importation and a transshipment location for methamphetamine. The manufacture of methamphetamine in Nevada occurs on a limited basis. The meth imported into the state is produced primarily in "super labs" (producing 10 pounds or more in a 24-hour period) by ethnic Mexican drug trafficking organizations operating in Mexico and California. (1)

Methamphetamine Use among High School Students:

5.9% of students reported using methamphetamine one or more times during their life. (2)

Drug Offenses:

In 2006 there were 73 meth-related arrests; 75.3% of all drug offenses in NV. (1)

There was 73.4 kg of methamphetamine seized in 2010. (3)

Lab Incidents:

There were 7 lab incidents in 2010. (4)

There were 2 children endangered by meth labs in 2010. (5)

Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine Abuse: (6)

1,893 treatment admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse in 2009;

19.1% of all drug abuse treatment admissions.

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

Legislation:

SB 203

AN ACT relating to controlled substances; requiring the State Board of Pharmacy to classify certain precursors to methamphetamine as controlled substances which must not be dispensed without a prescription; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

6. The Board shall designate as a controlled substance included in schedule III, regardless of the amount thereof:

(a) Ephedrine, its optical isomers, salts and salts of optical isomers;
(b) Pseudoephedrine, its optical isomers, salts and salts of optical isomers; and
(c) Phenylpropanolamine, its optical isomers, salts and salts of optical isomers.

The bill was heard in the Senate health and Human Services Committee on March 14, 2011. The bill was not put up for a vote prior to the final due date and is now dead by legislative rules. (7)

1. ONDCP: State of Nevada: Profile of Drug Indicators. http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/statelocal/nv/nv.pdf
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Youth Online: High School YRBS. Available: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/YouthOnline/App/Default.aspx
3. National Meth Center; State Resources. Available: http://www.nationalmethcenter.org/STATES.html
4. 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
5. MethResources.gov; State Resources. Available:   http://www.methresources.gov/Index.html
6. Treatment Admissions Data. Available: http://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/tedsweb/tab_year.choose_year_web_table?t_state=NV
7. Senate Bill 203. Available: http://e-lobbyist.com/gaits/NV/SB203