Counties Say Meth Is Top Drug Threat

By Donna Leinwand, USA TODAY
7/4/2005

WASHINGTON — Methamphetamine is a bigger problem than cocaine, marijuana or heroin for most communities, according to a survey of law enforcement agencies in 500 counties in 45 states by the National Association of Counties.

The survey, to be released today by the national group that represents county commissioners, supervisors and other top county officials, finds that methamphetamine is:

• The No. 1 illegal drug problem in the view of law enforcement agencies in 58% of the counties surveyed. Fewer than 20% see pot as the top problem.
• Behind an increase in other crimes. Agencies in 70% of the counties said the drug is driving up the number of robberies and burglaries.
• Seen as the top drug problem in every area of the country except the Northeast. There, law enforcement agencies consider heroin the No. 1 problem, ahead of pot, methamphetamine and cocaine.

Meth, as it is called, is a form of speed that is usually smoked or injected. It can be quickly and highly addictive. Methamphetamine can be made from household ingredients, particularly cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine and fertilizer made from anhydrous ammonia.

The survey highlights a disconnection between what many local officials say is the biggest drug problem and where the federal government has targeted its prevention and eradication efforts. “On the national level, the federal government still considers marijuana as the No. 1 drug problem in America, but county law enforcement officials have a different perspective on this ranking,” the association says in its survey.

Congress is considering restricting the nationwide sale of products that contain the drug pseudoephedrine. David Murray, a policy analyst for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, says the Bush administration is developing a national response to the meth problem. However, he says, the administration cannot neglect other drugs in the process.

Federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, are working to disrupt the supply of chemicals needed to make methamphetamine and stop the smugglers who carry it from Mexico and Canada, Murray says.

He says marijuana remains a top priority because it is the most commonly used illegal drug, with 15 million users, compared with about 1 million meth users. “We do have to keep all drug threats in context, which means you cannot ignore marijuana,” he says.