Methamphetamine in Maryland

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Methamphetamine is not in high demand nor is it widely available in the state of Maryland. Reports of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in western Maryland have increased over 2008, but thus far the overall problem remains relatively minor. However, the availability of methamphetamine imported from Mexico and the southwestern U.S. may be slowly increasing. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Maryland State Factsheet, 2009)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.17% of persons aged 12 or older in Maryland 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 Maryland students show that approximately 1.7% of 9th graders, 2.7% of 10th graders, 3.0% of 11th graders, and 4.0% 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 was 1 child affected by and 0 children injured at methamphetamine laboratories in Maryland during 2008.  There were 0 children affected by methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

Enforcement

There were 848 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 492 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in Maryland during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 4.8 kilograms of methamphetamine in Maryland. (Drug Enforcement Administration, Maryland State Factsheet, 2009)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there was 1 methamphetamine lab incident in Maryland 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, Maryland, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents	Year	# of Incidents
1999	1	2004	1
2000	0	2005	2
2001	2	2006	3
2002	1	2007	0
2003	2	2008	1

During FY 2008, 31.8% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in Maryland had committed a drug offense. Approximately 0.4% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of Maryland)

Prevention

If you would like to share information about your methamphetamine prevention program's efforts with us for possible inclusion on our site, please contact us.

Treatment

According to data provided to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, during 2007, there were 217 admissions to treatment in Maryland in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented  0.3% 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 Maryland, please conduct a treatment Resource Directory Search or contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Facility Locator service at 800-662-HELP (4357). You can also 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.