Ethnographers, Epidemiologists, and Ethnographic Sources
Ethnographic sources in Honolulu report that methamphetamine is the most problematic drug in that area. In Honolulu, there are more treatment admissions for methamphetamine use than alcohol abuse. The Honolulu ethnographer states that high-quality methamphetamine labs are found by police many times each week. "Clear" and "cloud" are the two types of methamphetamine found in the area, descriptive of differences in appearance of the product. "Clear" is considered to be more pure than "cloud." Prices are $40 per 1/10 gram on Oahu and $50-$100 for the same amount on the big island. Smoking is the most common method of administration.
Los Angeles ethnographic sources report that methamphetamine use has increased, and may be supplanting cocaine in popularity in that it is less expensive and has a longer-lasting high. Denver sources also state that methamphetamine use continues to increase in that area. In Austin, where methamphetamine availability is increasing and prices are dropping, it is reportedly popular in nightclubs. In Seattle, sources report that methamphetamine use is very popular, but use rates have reached a plateau. However, in 1997, methamphetamine-related fatalities increased in that area. Sources report both smoking and injection. Methamphetamine prices have declined in Seattle and sources note that a shift to methamphetamine use could be due to the drug becoming less expensive than cocaine.
Chicago sources note that there is less methamphetamine use in that area as compared to the West, but that it may have recently become more available. In Minneapolis, methamphetamine treatment admissions doubled from 1996 to 1997. Forty-six percent of these admissions are for users under the age of 25 years. Sources in Kansas City also report that methamphetamine use is becoming more of a problem. Delaware also reports that methamphetamine is available.
Law Enforcement Sources
In San Diego, sources report that methamphetamine is very popular, and that it has been for many years. It is affordable, available, and does not appear to have the same stigma as is associated with other drugs. Sources note that large amounts of methamphetamine are manufactured in Mexico, only 20 miles from San Diego, as well as in California counties inland. Methamphetamine was cited as a problem in both Seattle and Yakima. Yakima police sources report that methamphetamine is becoming as much of a problem as cocaine and heroin. In Boston, police sources report a few methamphetamine seizures, but say that the drug is not a problem in the area. Similarly, San Antonio sources report only a few additional cases involving methamphetamine.
Treatment Providers
Treatment providers in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic/South, and Midwest regions report low proportions of clients listing methamphetamine as the primary drug used (3 percent, 2 percent, and 4 percent, respectively). However, treatment providers in the West/Southwest region report that 18 percent of their clients primarily use methamphetamine. Similarly, the majority of treatment providers in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic/South, and Midwest regions report rates of methamphetamine use as stable (74 percent, 84 percent, and 71 percent, respectively). However, one-half of the West/Southwest region providers report that methamphetamine use is on the rise. Additionally, a significant proportion of Northeast and Midwest providers said there has been an increase in methamphetamine use (22 percent and 25 percent, respectively).
