Methamphetamine in Kentucky

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine continues to be widely available in central and southeastern Kentucky. Primary suppliers of methamphetamine are Mexican drug trafficking organizations. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Kentucky State Factsheet, 2009)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 1.03% of persons aged 12 or older in Kentucky 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 Kentucky students show that approximately 4.7% of 9th graders, 4.9% of 10th graders, 5.2% of 11th graders, and 9.0% 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 71 children affected by and 0 children injured at methamphetamine laboratories in Kentucky during 2008.  There were 45 children affected by methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

The Kentucky Alliance for Drug Endangered Children was formed to provide education to professionals throughout Kentucky who will respond to drug related situations that may involve children. This group is made up of agencies who are currently involved in child protection, community education, healthcare, law enforcement, criminal investigation, emergency medical response teams, prevention, public health, and state government.

Enforcement

There were 70 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 579 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Kentucky during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 9.6 kilograms of methamphetamine in Kentucky. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Kentucky State Factsheet, 2009)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 416 methamphetamine lab incidents in Kentucky 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, Kentucky, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	67	2004	571
2000	104	2005	574
2001	175	2006	343
2002	373	2007	294
2003	485	2008	416

During FY 2008, 41% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Kentucky had committed a drug offense. Approximately 11.7% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Iowa)

Prevention

Kentucky’s Methamphetamine Prevention Enhancement Site (MPES) provides technical assistance to coalitions preparing to prevent or reduce associated methamphetamine problems that are taking root in their respective communities.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2007, there were 1,045 admissions to treatment in Kentucky in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 4.3% of the total drug and alcohol admissions to treatment in the state. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, State Treatment Data, report run on June 3, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in Kentucky, please 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. You can also search for programs using Kentucky’s Online Treatment Provider Directory.

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.