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About the center
NATIONAL METHAMPHETAMINE TRAINING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER
State resources
State resources
RESOURCES
The situation: According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration, New York has a somewhat divided meth-
amphetamine market. In the New York City area, the market
is primarily for crystal meth. Much of the meth seen in NYC
is produced by Mexico and/or California based Mexican
methamphetamine trafficking organizations. The upstate
New York market is primarily methamphetamine powder
supplied by local clandestine labs. It should be noted,
however, that methamphetamine trafficking and abuse in
New York State is a less serious problem when compared
to heroin, cocaine, crack, and so-called "club drugs."


Meth in New York

-- New York high school students who say they have
used methamphetamine at least once during their life:
Source: Centers for Disease Control survey
Year                      2003      2005      2007     2009    
9th grade             4.2%       2.8%     3.3%     5.1%
10th grade            5.0%       4.2%     4.5%     3.9%
11th grade            3.1%       3.6%     4.4%     3.9%
12th grade            6.6%       2.6%     3.7%     5.2%


-- Clandestine meth lab busts in New York since 2004
Year                 2004     2005    2006     2007     2008     2009    2010
Lab busts           50         21       38         12        15         14       33
Source: El Paso Intelligence Center


-- Number of people admitted to drug treatment for amphetamine-related addictions and the percentage of all admissions that were related to amphetamines (mostly meth).
Year                  2005     2006     2007     2008     2009    2010
Number            704        610      783        694      805      852
Percentage       0.2%      0.2%    0.3%     0.2%    0.3%    0.3%
(Note: the national average percentage of meth admissions was 6.3% in 2010)
Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration


-- Seizures of methamphetamine in New York by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Seizure amounts are in kilograms (note: 1 kg. = 2.2 lbs.):
Year                 2005     2006     2007     2008     2009    2010
Seizures           10.8       3.2      24.0       7.1       6.5       8.0
Source: Drug Enforcement Administration


Speaking of meth

"[Dealers] are trying to create a market. [We're] afraid of an epidemic similar to the crack epidemic of the '80s."
- John Gilbride, DEA special agent in charge of New York


If you have comments or information to add, please e-mail the National Meth Center
High school meth use
Percentage of students who say they have used meth at least once
Reversing the trend: While national rates fell, New York student use rose from 2005 to 2009
7.6%
4.7%
3.3%
4.4%
4.1%
4.7%
U.S. avg.
N.Y. avg.
2003     2005     2007     2009