Methamphetamine Fact Sheet

• Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system.
• Methamphetamine increases energy, suppresses appetite and elevates mood; effects may last from six
to 12 hours, and in some cases, even longer.
• Methamphetamine is usually found in a crystalline powder form that is off-white, odorless, bitter-tasting,
and dissolvable in water.
• Ingredients used in methamphetamine production are highly toxic, potentially explosive, and/or
flammable.
• Treatment is possible for methamphetamine dependence through a variety of services, including
residential treatment. Methamphetamine causes specific problems for the user that must be addressed in a treatment program that is customized for the user.
• Methamphetamine overdose can affect many organ systems, and often results in toxic effect to organs
which is followed by multiple organ failure, including heart problems, stroke, and kidney failure.(1)
• Studies report that high-risk sexual behaviors are prevalent among methamphetamine-using gay,
bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), as well as heterosexual men, women, and rural residents.(2)

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• According to California treatment statistics, methamphetamine is the primary drug of abuse for women
entering treatment (ages 12-25) in 53 of 58 counties, compared to 18 of 58 counties for men entering treatment (ages 12-25).
• Methamphetamine is the primary drug of abuse for 53 percent of Asian Pacific Islander women, 48
percent of Latina women, and 46 percent of Caucasian women, who are admitted to treatment.3
• In 2003, the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring program (ADAM) found the number of arrestees in Los
Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Jose, who tested positive for methamphetamine use increased by 46.3 percent from 2000. (4)
• ADAM found that among males, the rate for those who tested positive for methamphetamine ranged
from 28.7 percent in Los Angeles to 37.6 percent in Sacramento. Among females, the rate for those who tested positive for methamphetamine ranged from 18.5 percent in Los Angeles to 47.1 percent in San Diego. Data was collected through urinanalyses at city and county detention facilities operated by local police and sheriff departments.(5)
• Methamphetamine emerged as a party drug for gay, bisexual, and other MSM during the 1990s, and it is
attributed with lowering inhibitions and contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted diseases.(6)

For every pound of methamphetamine manufactured, approximately six pounds of toxic waste is created, and this waste is often deposited in backyards, storm drains, parks, and roadsides.

• Toxic gases and wastes found at methamphetamine lab sites such as homes, garages, and barns affect
the residents of these sites – many of whom are women and children - causing poisoning, burns, lung irritation, organ damage, and cancer.(7)
• Methamphetamine is a factor in approximately 80 percent of child neglect and endangerment cases.
• The increasing use of methamphetamine among criminals is reflected in urine testing conducted with
arrestees in California. Methamphetamine use rates almost tripled from 1991 (11.1 percent) to 2001 (31.7 percent).(8)

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• The California Methamphetamine Initiative (CMI) is a statewide effort created by the California
Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (ADP) to reduce the use and abuse of methamphetamine by Californians.9
• The CMI targets gay, bisexual, and other MSM and will conduct research on methamphetamine use and
abuse among women ages 12-25.
• The CMI seeks to prevent methamphetamine abuse, encourage discontinuing use, and motivate
individuals to seek help through community outreach and treatment.
• The efforts of the CMI include education for practitioners on promising practices in prevention and
treatment, as well as active local collaboration with existing anti-methamphetamine efforts by county programs and community-based organizations to address the growing methamphetamine problem in California.
• Also part of the CMI’s efforts is a research-based, statewide “Me Not Meth” advertising and public
relations campaign.
• Help is available for methamphetamine addiction by calling 1-866-STP-METH (1-866-787-6384) or by visiting www.menotmeth.org.

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