Methamphetamine in West Virginia

Meth Situation and Prevalence

Clandestine methamphetamine laboratory activity in West Virginia decreased as a result of state and Federal laws regulating the sale of precursors. Previously, methamphetamine manufacture appeared to be centered in the Panhandle region of the state, but has expanded to include other areas of northern West Virginia as well as some clandestine laboratory sites in the southeastern portion of the state bordering Kentucky and Virginia. In addition, methamphetamine distributors in West Virginia often share Mexican sources of supply with distributors in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley region. (Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Factsheet, 2009)

According to 2004-2007 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 0.58% of persons aged 12 or older in West Virginia 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 West Virginia students show that approximately 5.6% of 9th graders, 7.7% of 10th graders, 9.2% of 11th graders, and 10.2% of 12th graders reported using methamphetamine at least once during their lifetimes. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Youth Online: Comprehensive Results, 2007)  

Drug Endangered Children

According to the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, preliminary data show that there were 22 children affected by, 0 injured at, and 0 killed at methamphetamine laboratories in West Virginia during 2008.  There were 9 children affected by (0 injured/killed at) methamphetamine labs in the state during 2007. (El Paso Intelligence Center, Children Affected Summary, report run on February 3, 2009)

Established in 2006, the West Virginia Drug Endangered Children Program consists of a statewide task force representing all disciplines involved with drug endangered children. In 2007, the program focused on getting into the individual communities of West Virginia and educating first responders and the community at large on all the drugs that effect children.

Enforcement

There were 88 state and local arrests for the sale/manufacturing of synthetic narcotics (includes methamphetamine) and 374 state and local arrests for the possession of synthetic narcotics in West Virginia during 2007. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Arrests by State, 2007)

During 2008, Federal agencies seized 0 kilograms of methamphetamine in West Virginia. (Drug Enforcement Administration, West Virginia State Factsheet, 2009)

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, there were 43 methamphetamine lab incidents in West Virginia 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, West Virginia, 1999-2008

Year	# of Incidents
1999	5
2000	3
2001	17
2002	52
2003	75
2004	165
2005	214
2006	83
2007	41
2008	43

During FY 2008, 64.8% of the Federally-sentenced defendants in West Virginia had committed a drug offense. Approximately 4.6% of these drug cases involved methamphetamine. (U.S. Sentencing Commission, Statistical Information Packet: Fiscal Year 2008 State of West Virginia)

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 113 admissions to treatment in West Virginia in which amphetamines were the primary substance of abuse. The admissions represented 1.9% 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 April 23, 2009)

For information about treatment programs in West Virginia, please contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Facility Locator service at 800-662-HELP (4357). You can also conduct a search for programs online using the Treatment Facility Locator Web site.

If you would like to contact the substance abuse agency in your 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.