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Buses on shoulders -
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Westbound widening of SR 52 set to begin
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Meth costly for San Diego region rule
San Diego companies shine as Best Workplaces for Commuters
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Funding for low income and disabled transportation services rule
New SPRINTER vehicles tested
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Smart growth is a smart move
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SANDAG Board Actions available online
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   the rEgion
 

Meth costly for San Diego region Meth Use by Adult and Juvenile Arrestees in 2005

While San Diego may no longer be the “Meth Capital of the World,” methamphetamine (meth) use has increased among the adult and juvenile arrestee population over the past several years, according to the latest work by SANDAG. The findings reinforce the fact that meth is a debilitating drug — one that is linked to other violent and property crimes, numerous health risks, and a significant financial toll on the public.

In one study, the San Diego County Methamphetamine Strike Force, San Diego Police Department, and SANDAG have estimated that the cost of one meth-related criminal case to local taxpayers was nearly $94,000. The figure was calculated by totaling the cost of the defendant’s contacts with all taxpayer-funded services including law enforcement, local and state detention facilities, probation and parole, and treatment providers.

“The cost of this single meth case to the people of San Diego County is staggering,” said San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob. “This is yet another call for proactive treatment and prevention services, and the vital field research provided by SANDAG.”

Another study, Methamphetamine Use by Adult and Juvenile Arrestees in 2005, conducted through the SANDAG Substance Abuse Monitoring (SAM) project, reveals that meth — also referred to as crystal, dope, and glass — remains one of the most popular and dangerous illicit drugs in the region.

Between 2000 and 2005, there was an increase in the percentage of males and females testing positive for meth in local detention facilities — from 28 percent to 44 percent (males) and 29 percent to 51 percent (females) — and the use of the drug is expanding from the Southwestern United States to other areas of the nation.

In 2005, 808 adult and 178 juvenile arrestees were interviewed at local detention facilities. Of the 335 adult arrestees who reported meth use in the past 30 days, 82 percent completed an addendum questionnaire. Forty-two of the juvenile arrestees reported using the drug in the past month, and of those, 79 percent completed the addendum. The meth addendum was critical in illustrating that adult and juveniles arrestees share differences and similarities regarding meth use.

The information provided by these individuals once again reinforces the significance of viable treatment programs in reversing the downward spiral of these drug users and the negative effects they have on the community.

“Time and time again, research and firsthand experience reinforce the fact that equitable and accessible treatment programs work,” said San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis. “Used proactively and in coordination with law enforcement, they are one of the most cost-effective tools to combat this dangerous drug and its damaging social impact.”

In 2005, just more than half (54%) of San Diego region arrestees who completed the meth addendum reported that they had tried to get drug treatment in the past. When asked why they had not sought treatment, the most common response (51%) was that they did not need it, followed by about 21 percent who perceived it as being unaffordable.

Of the 141 arrestee who had sought treatment, most (84%) were able to get into a program. One in every two who reported entering treatment also reported completing the program.

The SAM success story continues due to on-going financial support from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, the California Border Alliance Group, and SANDAG member agencies.

Project Manager:
Cynthia Burke, Director, Criminal Justice Research Division
cbu@sandag.org, (619) 699-1910