Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a principal drug threat to the United States. Reporting from law enforcement and public health agencies indicates that methamphetamine availability is widespread in the western and central United States and is increasing in the eastern half of the country, albeit slowly in some areas. Despite reports of increasing availability and an increase in methamphetamine seized, data regarding methamphetamine-related federal investigations and arrests show decreases in 2001. These decreases likely are due to a shift by DEA to investigate fewer but higher priority methamphetamine targets.

The level of methamphetamine use in the United States appears to be rising among adults and holding relatively steady among adolescents. Law enforcement and interagency reporting, as well as laboratory seizure data, suggests that production in the United States and Mexico increased slightly over the past year. Interagency reporting also indicates that methamphetamine production in Southeast Asia increased in 2001; however, only a small percentage of that produced in Southeast Asia is intended for distribution in the United States. The transportation of domestically produced methamphetamine from laboratories and stash houses to markets throughout the country occurs primarily by private vehicle, while methamphetamine produced in foreign source areas is smuggled into the United States overland primarily in private vehicles and via mail services. The distribution of methamphetamine is expanding slowly, particularly in areas of the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions. Mexican distributors are predominant in western states as well as in the Great Lakes and Southeast regions. The primary market areas for methamphetamine are Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and the Central States (Arkansas, Iowa, and Missouri).

NDTS data show that 31.0 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide identify methamphetamine as their principal drug threat. Regionally, more state and local law enforcement agencies in the Pacific (83.6%), West Central (73.9%), and Southwest regions (52.9%) identify methamphetamine as the greatest threat than do their counterparts in the Southeast (22.9%) and Great Lakes (20.5%). Methamphetamine was identified as the greatest threat by only 7.0, 3.8, 0.8, and 0.0 percent of agencies in the Florida/Caribbean, Mid-Atlantic, New York/New Jersey, and New England regions, respectively.

Methamphetamine causes profound physiological effects, and ingesting even small amounts of the drug can have dangerous consequences. Methamphetamine users often experience increased respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature as well as insomnia, tremors, and convulsions. Increased heart rate and blood pressure can cause strokes that, along with prolonged high body temperature and convulsions, may result in death. Long-term methamphetamine use may result in depression and motor and cognitive impairment. Intravenous users of methamphetamine put themselves at increased risk for needle-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.

In states where methamphetamine production is prevalent, the environmental cost is severe. Chemicals from dumpsites contaminate water supplies, kill livestock, destroy national forest lands, and render areas uninhabitable. In California alone the cleanup of more than 2,000 methamphetamine laboratories and dumpsites cost nearly $5.5 million during 2001. Moreover, methamphetamine laboratory fires or explosions have destroyed buildings and homes, injuring occupants and endangering neighboring residents and buildings.

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Availability

The availability of methamphetamine is high in most areas of the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions and in many areas of the Great Lakes and Southeast regions. In the Florida/Caribbean region methamphetamine is available primarily in northern and central Florida. While methamphetamine availability is low in the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and New York/New Jersey regions, the drug is being encountered with greater frequency. Methamphetamine is available in powder, tablet, and "ice" forms. Powder d-methamphetamine is the most commonly available type in the United States, although others are produced and abused (see text box).

Reporting from all DEA Field Divisions, HIDTAs, and Pulse Check sites in the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions indicates that methamphetamine is readily or widely available. DEA Field Divisions and HIDTAs in the Great Lakes region indicate high and increasing availability in many rural areas--particularly in Ohio, Indiana, and portions of Minnesota--but also note moderate or low availability of methamphetamine in Chicago and Detroit. The Chicago HIDTA reports that methamphetamine availability and use are expected to increase in counties surrounding Chicago, but the drug has not yet had a significant impact within the city. DEA and HIDTA reporting for the Florida/Caribbean and Southeast regions specifies moderate increases in the availability of both Mexico-produced and domestic methamphetamine, particularly in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Availability is low but slowly and steadily increasing in the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and New York/New Jersey regions, particularly in Manchester (NH), Newark, New York, Portland (ME), and Washington, D.C., according to DEA, HIDTA, and Pulse Check reporting.

NDTS data indicate that 58.8 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide describe the availability of methamphetamine as high or medium, while 30.6 percent describe it as low. Regional data are indicative of the eastward expansion of methamphetamine from the western United States. Agencies in the Pacific (97.8%), West Central (93.1%), and Southwest regions (84.5%) account for the greatest proportions reporting high or medium availability of methamphetamine, followed by those in the Southeast (73.3%), Great Lakes (52.2%), Florida/Caribbean (47.8%), and Mid-Atlantic regions (30.1%). Agencies in the New England (9.3%) and New York/New Jersey regions (8.0%) account for the smallest proportions.

While certain data regarding methamphetamine-related federal investigations and arrests show decreases in 2001, these decreases likely are due to a shift by DEA to investigate fewer but higher priority methamphetamine targets. Overall, methamphetamine-related OCDETF investigations accounted for 18.2 percent of all drug-related investigations in FY2001, down from 20.1 percent in FY2000. During the same period, the overall proportion of methamphetamine-related OCDETF indictments increased slightly, from 18.6 to 22.2 percent of all OCDETF indictments. Of all methamphetamine-related OCDETF investigations in FY2001, 68 percent occurred in the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions.

Federal sentences incurred for methamphetamine-related offenses accounted for 14.2 percent of all federal drug sentences in FY2001, nearly unchanged from 14.3 percent in FY2000. The number of DEA arrests for methamphetamine-related offenses also decreased from 7,700 in 2000 to 6,557 in 2001.

The amount of methamphetamine seized in the United States increased in 2001, however. FDSS data show that methamphetamine seizures increased from 3,470 kilograms in 2000 to 3,782 kilograms in 2001. California and Texas led the country in total kilograms seized with 2,154 and 481 kilograms, respectively, and the two states combined accounted for nearly 70 percent of all methamphetamine seized in 2001.

DEA reports that in 2001 the price of methamphetamine ranged nationally from $3,500 to $23,000 per pound, $350 to $2,200 per ounce, and $20 to $300 per gram. The average purity of the methamphetamine seized by DEA increased from 35.3 percent in 2000 to 40.1 percent in 2001.

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Demand

The level of methamphetamine use in the United States appears to be rising among adults and holding relatively steady among adolescents. The NHSDA indicates a rise in the number of all methamphetamine users (12 and older) reporting past year use between 2000 and 2001, from 1.0 million to 1.3 million.

Among adults, use of methamphetamine appears to be rising. NHSDA data show that past year methamphetamine use increased significantly from 1.2 percent in 2000 to 1.7 percent in 2001 among young adults aged 18-25. While rates of use are lower among older adults, NHSDA data show that these too rose, although not significantly. In 2000 and 2001 the rate of past year methamphetamine use was 0.5 and 0.7 percent, respectively, for adults aged 26-34 and 0.2 and 0.3 percent for those aged 35 and older.

MTF data appear to indicate similar upward trends among young adults; however, none of the changes between 2000 and 2001 were statistically significant. MTF reports that among college students (19-22) past year methamphetamine use rose from 1.6 percent in 2000 to 2.4 percent in 2001. Among all young adult respondents (19-28) past year methamphetamine use rose from 2.5 percent in 2000 to 2.8 percent in 2001.

Among adolescents, methamphetamine use appears to be relatively stable overall, according to data from most national-level prevalence studies (PRIDE does not track methamphetamine use). NHSDA data show past year methamphetamine use among adolescents aged 12-17 held steady at 0.8 percent in both 2000 and 2001. In 1999 past year methamphetamine use for adolescents was 0.7 percent.

MTF data reveal that past year methamphetamine use was stable from 2001 to 2002. In those years rates were 2.8 and 2.2 percent, respectively, for eighth graders, 3.7 and 3.9 percent for tenth graders, and 3.9 and 3.6 percent for twelfth graders.

PATS reporting indicates a slight decrease in the rate of past year methamphetamine use among teens from 8 percent in 2000 to 7 percent in 2001. According to PATS, teens' attitudes toward methamphetamine use are stable. In both 2000 and 2001, 78 percent of teens agreed there is great risk in using methamphetamine regularly, and 47 percent agreed there is great risk in trying the drug once or twice.

The adverse consequences of methamphetamine use are increasing, according to national-level consequence studies. DAWN data indicate a rise in the estimated number of ED mentions for methamphetamine from 2000 (13,505) to 2001 (14,923). Most ED methamphetamine mentions were reported in five cities in the Pacific and Southwest regions: Los Angeles (1,517), San Diego (673), San Francisco (611), Phoenix (604), and Seattle (395). The only significant changes in the number of mentions were in Los Angeles (+10.3%) and Seattle (-26.9%).

TEDS data indicate an increase in admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities for methamphetamine use between 1994 (33,407) and 1999 (57,834). A notable rise in the rate of admissions for which methamphetamine was the primary substance of abuse occurred between 1994 and 1999, when the rate increased from 22 admissions per 100,000 population to 32 per 100,000. TEDS data also indicate that methamphetamine-related treatment admissions, which once were reported almost exclusively in the Pacific and Southwest regions, are increasing throughout the Great Lakes, Southeast, and West Central regions. The typical treatment admission for methamphetamine is Caucasian (79%), male (53%), and between the ages of 25 and 34 (42%). In 1999 the most popular route of administration was smoking (35%), followed by injection (29%) and inhalation (25%).

ADAM data indicate that 13.0 percent of adult male arrestees reported past year use of methamphetamine in 2001. These past year users reported an average frequency of use of 6.7 days in the past month. Past year methamphetamine data for 2000 are unavailable.

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Production

Methamphetamine production is increasing both in the United States and in the foreign source areas that supply U.S. markets. All DEA Field Divisions except one (Caribbean) report that methamphetamine is produced in their areas, and most (19 of 21) describe production as either stable or increasing. Almost three-quarters (24 of 32) of the HIDTAs also report the presence of methamphetamine laboratories in their areas. Moreover, data from EPIC's National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System (NCLSS) show that the number of laboratories seized in the United States increased from 6,777 in 1999, to 6,940 in 2000, to 8,290 in 2001.

Methamphetamine production in Mexico--the principal source area for foreign-produced methamphetamine available in the United States--and in Southeast Asia increased at least slightly in 2001, according to the INCSR and the United Nations International Narcotics Control Board. Most methamphetamine produced in Mexico is destined for U.S. drug markets; however, only a small percentage of that produced in Southeast Asia is intended for distribution in the United States.

Domestic Production

Methamphetamine production occurs throughout the country: methamphetamine laboratories were seized in 46 states in 2001. In western states Mexican criminal groups using the hydriodic acid/red phosphorus production method are predominant, while in the central United States Caucasian independent producers using the Birch method are common (see text box). Methamphetamine production is limited in eastern states, but when it occurs, the Birch method of production is typically used.

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In the western United States clandestine methamphetamine production is extensive and often takes place in "superlabs" that have the capacity to produce 10 or more pounds of methamphetamine in one production cycle. Of 8,290 clandestine laboratories seized in 2001, almost half (4,139) were located in the Pacific and Southwest regions. Moreover, of 303 superlabs seized in the United States in 2001, more than 90 percent (283) were in these two regions. Available intelligence indicates that California laboratories alone produce more methamphetamine than all other domestic laboratories combined. In addition, the number of California superlabs appears to be increasing, and most now have the capacity to produce 20 or more pounds of methamphetamine in one production cycle. NCLSS data show that the number of superlabs seized in California increased from 127 in 2000 to 238 in 2001.

A large number of methamphetamine laboratories--4,090--were seized during 2001 in the West Central, Great Lakes, and Southeast regions, but only 20 were superlabs. Production yields for laboratories in these regions are far lower than for those in the western United States because most laboratories seized in the West Central, Great Lakes, and Southeast regions (nearly 60% in 2001) are small capacity Birch laboratories. This is especially true in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, where Birch laboratories accounted for nearly 70 percent of methamphetamine laboratories seized.

Methamphetamine production in the Florida/Caribbean, Mid-Atlantic, New England, and New York/New Jersey regions is limited--only 61 laboratories were seized in 2001--and consists generally of small capacity laboratories. There were no seizures of methamphetamine superlabs in any of these regions in 2001. Furthermore, the P2P production method, once commonly used to produce large quantities of methamphetamine in the eastern United States--particularly in the Philadelphia and southern New Jersey area--now appears to be one of the least common methods used. Of 19 P2P methamphetamine laboratories seized in 2001, one was located in Pennsylvania and one in New Jersey.

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Foreign Production

Methamphetamine is produced throughout the world; however, Mexico and, to a much lesser extent, Southeast Asia are the principal sources of foreign-produced methamphetamine to U.S. markets. Only a small percentage of the methamphetamine produced in Southeast Asia is intended for U.S. markets. Although there are no conclusive estimates as to how much methamphetamine is produced in foreign source areas, law enforcement reporting, as well as reporting from the United Nations and U.S. Department of State, indicates that production appears to be increasing.

Methamphetamine produced in Mexico accounts for most of the foreign-produced methamphetamine available in the United States, and according to DEA, despite growing demand for the drug in Mexico most of the methamphetamine produced in that country appears to be intended for U.S. markets. DEA reporting also indicates an apparent increase in methamphetamine laboratories near the U.S. border: the number of laboratories seized in Baja California Norte rose sharply from just 2 in 2000 to 24 in 2001. According to EPIC seizure data, however, the amount of Mexican methamphetamine seized along the U.S.-Mexico border decreased from 1,254 kilograms in 2000 to 1,174 kilograms in 2001. INCSR data show that the amount of methamphetamine seized in Mexico decreased between 2000 and 2001 following significant increases in previous years. The amount of methamphetamine seized in Mexico increased from 96 kilograms in 1998, to 358 kilograms in 1999, to 555 kilograms in 2000 before falling to 396 kilograms in 2001.

Traffickers operating laboratories in Southeast Asian countries, Burma in particular, produce methamphetamine in large quantities; the drug usually is pressed into tablets referred to as "yaba." The INCSR estimates that laboratories in Burma produce approximately 800 million methamphetamine tablets each year and that production may be increasing. The number of tablets seized in Burma increased from 26.7 million in 2000 to 32.4 million in 2001, while the number of methamphetamine laboratories seized remained relatively stable: two were seized in 2000 and three in 2001. According to DEA, the United Wa State Army, a Burmese criminal group, is responsible for the majority of methamphetamine tablets produced. Most of these tablets are consumed in Southeast Asia; however, some are reaching U.S. markets, primarily in California and Hawaii.

DEA reporting indicates that Vietnamese, Filipino and, to a lesser extent, Japanese, Korean, and Thai criminal groups smuggle Southeast Asia-produced ice methamphetamine into the United States, particularly to Hawaii.

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Transportation

Methamphetamine is transported from domestic and foreign production sites via many conveyances and routes. Wholesale quantities of domestically produced methamphetamine are transported via commercial and private vehicles as well as mail services from laboratories, staging areas, and stash houses to U.S. drug markets primarily by Mexican traffickers but also by independent--mostly Caucasian--producers. Mexican and Caucasian criminal groups smuggle Mexico-produced methamphetamine into the United States primarily via private vehicles, while Southeast Asian criminal groups smuggle methamphetamine produced in Southeast Asia via mail services.

Transportation of Domestically Produced Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine produced domestically by Mexican criminal groups is transported to markets throughout the country by these same groups and, to a lesser extent, by Caucasian independent transporters and outlaw motorcycle gangs. Of 21 DEA Field Divisions, 15 identify the principal methamphetamine transporters in their areas as Mexican. Furthermore, DEA reporting indicates that the Pacific and Southwest regions are the primary sources of domestically produced methamphetamine to U.S. markets.

Caucasian independent transporters and outlaw motorcycle gangs control the transportation of the methamphetamine that they produce, primarily supplying markets in the eastern United States by way of private vehicles and mail services. For instance, the DEA Newark Field Division identifies outlaw motorcycle gangs as principal transporters of methamphetamine into its area, and the DEA Boston Field Division identifies Caucasian independent groups and outlaw motorcycle gangs as principal transporters in its area.

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Transportation of Foreign-Produced Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine produced in Mexico is smuggled into the United States at various points along the U.S.-Mexico border primarily by Mexican criminal groups using private vehicles, tractor-trailers, and couriers on foot. Caucasian transporters and outlaw motorcycle gangs--Bandidos in particular--also smuggle Mexico-produced methamphetamine into the United States, but to a much lesser extent than Mexican criminal groups.

Most of the Mexico-produced methamphetamine destined for U.S. drug markets is smuggled into the United States through and between POEs along the California-Mexico border. EPIC seizure data show that the POEs at San Ysidro (289 kg), Calexico (153 kg), and Otay Mesa (112 kg) accounted for more than 70 percent of the methamphetamine seized at POEs along the U.S.-Mexico border in 2001. From these three POEs, transporters supply Mexico-produced methamphetamine to the primary market areas of Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and the Central States as well as to smaller markets throughout the country.

Mexico-produced methamphetamine also is smuggled into the United States through and between POEs along the Texas-Mexico border. EPIC seizure data show that the POEs at Laredo (40 kg), Pharr (39 kg), and El Paso (37 kg) accounted for approximately 15 percent of the methamphetamine seized along the U.S.-Mexico border in 2001. Mexican transporters supply methamphetamine smuggled through these POEs to markets in the Southeast, Southwest, and West Central regions.

Arizona POEs accounted for approximately 11 percent of methamphetamine seized at POEs along the U.S.-Mexico border in 2001. Nogales may be emerging as a key POE for Mexico-produced methamphetamine. The amount of methamphetamine seized at Nogales increased from 29 kilograms in 2000 to 56 kilograms in 2001. Methamphetamine smuggled through the Nogales POE typically is stored in towns near the POE or in Tucson before being transported to the primary market areas of Phoenix and Los Angeles and to markets in the Great Lakes, Southeast, Southwest, and West Central regions.

A relatively small amount of methamphetamine tablets (yaba) produced in Southeast Asia is smuggled into the United States for distribution in localized markets primarily in northern California. Methamphetamine tablets usually are transported to the United States by mail services from Southeast Asia to mail facilities in Hawaii and California, primarily Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Oakland. DEA reports that the number of methamphetamine tablets seized at mail facilities in Hawaii and California has fluctuated sharply from 39,917 in 1999, to 301,697 in 2000, to 32,280 in 2001. The methamphetamine tablets often are combined with shipments of licit or illicit goods. For instance, the Central Valley HIDTA reports that methamphetamine tablets have been smuggled to Fairfield and San Jose, California, secreted in shipments of legitimate products and in shipments of opium. The tablets were destined for distribution in central and northern California.

According to law enforcement reporting and the INCSR, ice methamphetamine produced in Southeast Asia is smuggled to Hawaii by Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese criminal groups primarily for local distribution. Nonetheless the DEA Newark Field Division reports that ice methamphetamine from the Philippines is available in its area, although the route and method of shipment used to transport the drug into the area are unknown.

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Distribution

Methamphetamine distribution is most pervasive in the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions. Distribution is expanding in the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions, albeit slowly. In the New England and New York/ New Jersey regions distribution of methamphetamine is very limited, and there has been little indication of any significant increase in distribution over the past year.

Mexican criminal groups control most midlevel and retail methamphetamine distribution in the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions as well as much of the distribution in the Great Lakes and Southeast regions. Mexican midlevel distributors sometimes supply methamphetamine to outlaw motorcycle gangs and Hispanic gangs for retail distribution throughout the country. Caucasian independent distributors are active throughout the country, particularly in the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions and in the West Central states of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, where methamphetamine produced in small laboratories is distributed to a limited number of local customers. Outlaw motorcycle gangs distribute methamphetamine throughout the country, and DEA reporting indicates that they distribute the drug in many areas of the Great Lakes region and are principal methamphetamine distributors in the New England and New York/New Jersey regions. Asian methamphetamine distributors (Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese) are active in the Pacific region, although Mexican criminal groups trafficking in ice methamphetamine have supplanted Asian criminal groups as the dominant distributors of this drug in Hawaii.

Retail distribution occurs through street sales and in private homes, motels, restaurants, bars, and dance clubs. Distributors often use pagers and cellular telephones to facilitate retail sales. Retail methamphetamine often is packaged in small glassine bags, vials, waxed paper, or foil. It is sold in gram or multigram quantities, or as "eight ball" (1/8 oz) and "teener"(1/16 oz) quantities. 

Primary Market Areas

Reporting from law enforcement and public health agencies indicates that Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, and San Francisco are primary market areas for methamphetamine. Reporting typically reveals very high levels of use and distribution in these cities as well as national-level distribution from these cities to markets throughout the country. The Central States of Arkansas, Iowa, and Missouri, collectively, are a primary market area for methamphetamine as well. This area does not meet the typical definition of a primary market area--some of the consequence data for the Central States are not particularly high, nor is the extent of methamphetamine distribution from the area at a national level. Nonetheless the extent of methamphetamine distribution in the Central States and the proliferation of small-capacity methamphetamine laboratories within the area render the Central States a primary market.

Figure 7. Primary Market Areas: Methamphetamine

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Los Angeles. Los Angeles appears to be the largest methamphetamine market in the country. DAWN data show the estimated number of methamphetamine-related ED mentions for Los Angeles increased significantly between 2000 and 2001 from 1,375 to 1,517--more than twice the number of mentions for the next closest DAWN reporting city (San Diego). Los Angeles recorded the fourth highest rate of ED mentions for methamphetamine with 18 per 100,000 population in 2001; the rate in 2000 was 16 per 100,000. DAWN mortality data for Los Angeles show that methamphetamine was mentioned in 147 of 1,887 deaths involving drug abuse in 1999 and in 155 of 1,192 deaths in 2000. It was listed as the drug of abuse in 12 of 295 single-drug deaths in 2000. Pulse Check reports that methamphetamine is widely available in Los Angeles and that use is stable, while CEWG reports that primary treatment admissions for methamphetamine increased 25 percent between 1999 and 2000.

The DEA Los Angeles Field Division and the Los Angeles HIDTA report that U.S.-based Mexican criminal groups control wholesale and midlevel methamphetamine distribution in the area. Mexican criminal groups transport methamphetamine to Los Angeles from their laboratories in Mexico and southern California primarily via private vehicles and commercial trucks. Mexican midlevel distributors supply independent distributors and Hispanic gangs. Asian gangs distribute limited amounts of ice methamphetamine in Los Angeles, primarily within the Asian community.

Methamphetamine is distributed from Los Angeles to the primary market areas of Phoenix and San Francisco as well as to markets in the Pacific, West Central, Southwest, and Southeast regions.

Phoenix. Phoenix is a primary market area for methamphetamine. The DEA Phoenix Field Division estimates that methamphetamine is second only to marijuana as the most abused drug in the Phoenix area. Phoenix ranked fourth among DAWN reporting cities in the estimated number of ED mentions for methamphetamine in 2001 with 604; the city ranked third in 2000 with 600 mentions. DAWN data further indicate that the estimated rate of ED mentions for methamphetamine in Phoenix decreased between 2000 and 2001 (29 to 21 per 100,000). DAWN mortality data show that methamphetamine was mentioned in 94 of 561 deaths involving drug abuse in 1999 and in 109 of 587 deaths in 2000. Methamphetamine was listed as the drug of abuse in 6 of 62 single-drug deaths in Phoenix in 2000. ADAM reports that the proportion of adult male arrestees testing positive for methamphetamine in Phoenix rose from 17.0 percent in 2000 to 25.3 percent in 2001.

Mexican wholesale and midlevel distributors control methamphetamine distribution in the Phoenix area. Mexican criminal groups typically use private vehicles to transport methamphetamine to the Phoenix area from laboratories in Mexico and, to a lesser extent, from domestic laboratories generally located in southern California. Hispanic gangs control most retail distribution of methamphetamine, although Caucasian independent distributors are prominent.

Methamphetamine is distributed in bulk quantities from Phoenix to markets in the Great Lakes, Southeast, Southwest, and West Central regions.

San Diego. The level of methamphetamine consumption in San Diego is high, and distribution in and from the city is significant. Among DAWN reporting cities, San Diego recorded the second highest estimated number of methamphetamine-related ED mentions in 2001 (673), down from 747 in 2000. DAWN reports that San Diego also recorded the second highest estimated rate of ED mentions for methamphetamine at 27 per 100,000 population, down from 31 per 100,000 in 2000. DAWN mortality data show that methamphetamine was mentioned in 88 of 354 deaths involving drug abuse in 1999 and in 112 of 360 deaths in 2000. Methamphetamine was listed as the drug of abuse in 11 of 60 single-drug deaths in 2000. According to CEWG reporting, methamphetamine was identified as the primary drug in 33 percent of admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities in San Diego in 2000. ADAM reporting indicates that the percentage of adult male arrestees testing positive for methamphetamine rose from 25.0 percent in 2000 to 27.9 percent in 2001.

DEA reports indicate that methamphetamine distribution is widespread and pervasive throughout San Diego. Mexican wholesale distributors transport multikilogram quantities of methamphetamine from laboratories in Mexico and southern California to San Diego primarily via private vehicles. They also control methamphetamine distribution within the city, supplying Mexican midlevel distributors who in turn supply Hispanic gangs as well as Caucasian and Hispanic independent retail distributors.

Methamphetamine is distributed from San Diego to the primary market areas of Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco and to smaller markets in every region of the country.

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San Francisco. San Francisco is among the largest methamphetamine markets in the United States. DAWN data show a slight increase in the estimated number of methamphetamine-related ED mentions in San Francisco between 2000 (591) and 2001 (611), when the city ranked third among DAWN reporting cities. The estimated rate of ED mentions increased as well, from 36 to 39 per 100,000 population--the highest rate among all DAWN reporting cities. DAWN mortality data indicate that methamphetamine was mentioned in 58 of 361 deaths involving drug abuse in 1999 and in 45 of 286 deaths in 2000. It was listed as the drug of abuse in 4 of 45 single-drug deaths in 2000.

The DEA San Francisco Field Division reports that Mexican wholesale and midlevel distributors control methamphetamine distribution in the San Francisco area. Mexican criminal groups transport wholesale quantities of methamphetamine to San Francisco from laboratories in Mexico, southern California, and the local area, primarily via private vehicles. Mexican and Hispanic criminal groups control much of the retail distribution as well; however, DEA reporting indicates that outlaw motorcycle gangs and Caucasian independent distributors, who often also produce small quantities of methamphetamine, are prominent in retail distribution.

Wholesale amounts of methamphetamine are distributed from San Francisco to several market areas throughout the country. Methamphetamine often is transported throughout the country from San Francisco via private vehicles. To a lesser extent couriers carry methamphetamine on commercial flights directly from San Francisco to markets in the eastern half of the country and in Hawaii. Methamphetamine also is mailed from San Francisco to midlevel and retail distributors throughout the United States.

Central States. The Central States of Arkansas, Iowa, and Missouri, collectively, are a primary market area for methamphetamine. Much of the methamphetamine problem in this area is rural and thus typically is not reflected in consequence data, which normally are collected for metropolitan areas. There is a high level of demand for the drug in the area, however, as indicated by the widespread distribution of the drug and the proliferation of small-capacity methamphetamine laboratories within the area.

St. Louis, the only DAWN reporting city within the Central States for ED mentions, ranked eighth among all DAWN cities with an estimated 115 ED methamphetamine mentions in 2001, down from 162 in 2000. DAWN mortality data for St. Louis show that methamphetamine was mentioned in 9 of 276 deaths involving drug abuse in 1999 and in 9 of 244 deaths in 2000. DAWN mortality data for Kansas City show that methamphetamine was mentioned in 13 of 237 deaths involving drug abuse in 1999 and in 6 of 222 deaths in 2000. According to TEDS data for 1999, the Central States were among the top 10 states regarding the number of methamphetamine-related admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities with Missouri ranking fourth (3,147), Iowa ranking fifth (2,840), and Arkansas ranking ninth (2,050). Des Moines and Kansas City are the only ADAM sites located in the Central States, and according to 2001 data, 22.0 percent of adult male arrestees in Des Moines tested positive for methamphetamine, ranking the city sixth among 33 ADAM sites. Furthermore, Des Moines ranked fifth in the percentage of adult male arrestees who reported using methamphetamine within the past year (32.4%). In Kansas City 1.0 percent of adult male arrestees tested positive for methamphetamine, and 15.0 reported using the drug in the past year.

DEA, HIDTA, and state and local law enforcement reporting indicates methamphetamine is widely distributed and abused throughout the Central States. Mexican traffickers transport methamphetamine to the area from Mexico and the Southwest and Pacific regions via private vehicles and, to a lesser extent, commercial air and mail services; they also control wholesale distribution of the drug. These Mexican wholesale distributors typically supply methamphetamine to Caucasian midlevel distributors, often through front businesses. The midlevel distributors in turn supply primarily Caucasian retail distributors, who typically sell the drug in private residences, hotel rooms, bars, and parking lots. Many Caucasian independent methamphetamine producers in the area also distribute small amounts of the drug to friends and associates for their use.

Outlaw motorcycle gangs also transport methamphetamine from the western United States to the Central States where they distribute the drug. According to the Midwest HIDTA, street gangs such as Latin Kings and Black Gangster Disciples appear to be increasingly involved in retail methamphetamine sales within the primary market area.

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Key Developments

Reporting from federal and state law enforcement agencies indicates that the use of toxic hypophosphorous acid in place of red phosphorus as an essential chemical when producing methamphetamine has increased since 1999. According to NCLSS data, 12 hypophosphorous methamphetamine laboratories were seized in 1999 and 77 were seized in 2000. In 2001, 79 hypophosphorous methamphetamine laboratories were seized in 16 states in the New England, Pacific, Southeast, Southwest, and West Central regions; nearly half (37) were seized in Colorado. Hypophosphorous acid is corrosive, harmful if inhaled, and more prone to cause fires than red phosphorus during methamphetamine production. Hypophosphorous acid has commercial applications and is sold legally, primarily over the Internet, in solutions or as a salt.

The availability of ice methamphetamine, a highly pure and very addictive form of methamphetamine, is increasing throughout the United States. Once limited primarily to Guam, Hawaii, and some areas of California, ice methamphetamine is now available in several regions of the country, although usually in limited amounts.

Reporting from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) indicates that the amount of methamphetamine seized on National Forest System (NFS) lands is increasing. Despite an overall reduction in the number of laboratories and dumpsites seized between 2000 and 2001 (488 to 344), the amount of methamphetamine seized increased from 93 to 154 pounds (42 kg to 70 kg). This increase in the quantity seized likely is due to the presence of larger capacity laboratories on such lands. Most of the methamphetamine laboratories and dumpsites seized on NFS lands (58%) were in Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest.

Projections

Mexican criminal groups will attain greater control of wholesale and midlevel methamphetamine distribution in eastern states. Mexican criminal groups are now the predominant wholesale distributors of methamphetamine in many areas of the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions, and they are prominent in several large eastern cities.

The threat posed by methamphetamine will increase over the next year. Such an increase is indicated by the rising availability of methamphetamine in drug markets in eastern states, the growing number of states reporting the presence of superlabs, rising purity levels, and an apparent increase in the presence of ice methamphetamine. Despite the rising threat, methamphetamine is not likely to surpass the overall threat posed to the United States by powder cocaine and crack in the near term.

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