DEA Assessment:

Methamphetamine has been identified by law enforcement as the primary drug threat in Alabama. The methamphetamine previously produced in “mom and pop” labs in Alabama has been replaced by a more pure form of the drug known as “ice.”

Virtually all of the methamphetamine coming into the state is brought in by Mexican drug trafficking organizations from Mexico and Texas and distribution points in Atlanta, Georgia. (1)

Methamphetamine Use among High School Students (2009):

5.3% of students reported using methamphetamine one or more times during their life. (2)

Drug Offenses:

There were 130 Meth-related Arrests in 2006 (32.3% of all drug related cases in AL).  (1)

There were 3.8 kg of methamphetamine seized in 2010. (3)

Lab Incidents:

There were 665 lab incidents in 2010. (4)

There were 92 Drug Endangered Children in 2010. (5)

Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine Abuse: (6)

2,017 treatment admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse in 2010;

8.9% of all drug abuse treatment admissions.

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

Legislation:

Has PSE Tracking Laws: March 30, 2010 NPLEx signed into law. January 1, 2011: NPLEx put into effect. (7)

Has Point-of-Sale Restrictions: Quantity, Packaging, Display/Offer (8)

HB 103 Summary

Under existing law, controlled substances may only be sold by prescription. Under existing law, the State Board of Health has the authority to add, delete, or reschedule substances as controlled substances, but the board must exclude a nonnarcotic substance from a schedule if the substance may lawfully be sold over the counter without a prescription pursuant to federal law. This bill would allow ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine to be sold by prescription by requiring the State Board of Health to classify the drugs as Schedule III controlled substances. This bill would give the board the authority to exempt a product containing any of these substances from classification as a controlled substance if the board finds that the product is effectively formulated to prevent conversion of the active ingredient into methamphetamine or its salts or precursors. This bill would also authorize the board to revoke the exemption upon notification from the Department of Public Safety that the product exempted is not effectively formulated to prevent its conversion to methamphetamine

On March 9, 2011 the House Health Committee passed the bill. As of this date it is not expected to pass the full House. (9)

1. ONDCP: State of Alabama: Profile of Drug Indicators. http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/statelocal/al/al.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=AL
7. PSE Tracking Law. Available: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/meth/map-meth-by-state/
8. Point of Sale Restrictions. Available: http://www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs38/38661/app-b.htm#TableB5
9. House Bill 103. Available: http://e-lobbyist.com/gaits/text/203113/203113.pdf