Methamphetamine in Florida

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine has impacted the majority of Florida’s counties and use is widespread. Methamphetamine is transported into Florida in multi-pound increments by Mexican drug trafficking organizations based along the Southwest Border and California. Methamphetamine produced in super labs in Texas and California transits into Florida along the Interstate-10 corridor. A new trend has emerged which is the distribution of crystal methamphetamine from Atlanta area sources. The majority of the labs found in Florida are small-scale, producing gram amounts up to a maximum of 1-2 ounces per cook. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida State Factsheet, 2008)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.35% of persons aged 12 or older in Florida reported using methamphetamine within the past year. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007)

Results of a 2007 survey of Florida students show that approximately 3.6% of 9th graders, 4.6% of 10th graders, 3.6% of 11th graders, and 3.9% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lifetimes. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Online: Comprehensive Results, 2008)

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 25 children affected by, 0 children injured at, and 0 children killed at methamphetamine laboratories in Florida during 2008.  There were 21 children affected by (1 injured/0 killed at) methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

The Florida Alliance for Drug Endangered Children was formed in October 2005 to promote the drug endangered children (DEC) team concept and public awareness of the problems faced by the children. The Alliance is comprised of agency representatives working together to encourage the creation of local DEC teams, organize multidisciplinary DEC training, and provide referrals to experts, updated research on topics concerning drug endangered children, and best practice information.

Enforcement

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 16.9 kilograms of methamphetamine in Florida. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida State Factsheet, 2008)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 125 methamphetamine lab incidents in Florida during 2008. This includes all meth incidents, including labs, dumpsites, and/or chemical and glassware seizures. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Maps of Methamphetamine Lab Incidents)

Number of Meth Lab Incidents, Florida, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	23	2004	276
2000	15	2005	276
2001	35	2006	136
2002	157	2007	121
2003	240	2008	125

During FY 2008, 36.9% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Florida had committed a drug offense. Approximately 4.0% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Florida)

Prevention

In January 2005, the Governor's Office of Drug Control established the Methamphetamine Workgroup to bring key state agencies together on a regular basis to jointly assess the extent of the meth danger in Florida, and then devise joint, multi-agency approaches to combating both the continued spread of meth as well as the harmful social and environmental effects resulting from its production and use. For additional information, please visit the Stop Meth in Florida Web site.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2008, there were 732 admissions to treatment in Florida in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 1.5% of the total drug and alcohol admissions to treatment in the state. (Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, State Treatment Data, report run on May 4, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Florida, visit the Florida Provider Search Site. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Facility Locator service at 800-662-HELP (4357) or conduct a search for programs online using SAMHSA’s Treatment Facility Locator Web site.

If you would like to contact the substance abuse agency in the state, please see SAMHSA’s State Substance Abuse Agencies page, which contains links to and contact information for agencies within each state.

Search

Conduct a search of the MethResources database for additional information about methamphetamine in the state.