Methamphetamine Abuse in Arizona
This state is eligible to apply for the Rural Law Enforcement Methamphetamine Initiative.
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METHAMPHETAMINE:
A Preventable Epidemic for the Children Of Arizona
Governor's Methamphetamine Task Force
Strategic Action Planning Summit
January 10-11, 2007
A PLAN FOR Priority Recommendations Action Steps and Strategies ACTION:
Addressing the Methamphetamine Crisis in Arizona
A PLAN FOR Priority Recommendations Action Steps and Strategies ACTION:
Addressing the Methamphetamine Crisis in Arizona (Chart)
Top 25 Recommendations-Arizona Meth Summit 1-10-07
Arizona Meth Summit Survey Results Sorted by Topical Area
DEA Assessment:
Arizona serves as a major distribution hub, staging area, and transshipment point for Mexican methamphetamine smuggled across the Southwest border destined for domestic cities throughout the U.S., specifically Midwest cities.1
Methamphetamine Use among State Population (2002-2005):
6.8% of persons aged 12 or older reported using meth one or more times during their life.2
2.3% of young adults aged 18-25 reported past year methamphetamine use.
1.2% of persons aged 12 or older reported past year methamphetamine use.3
Methamphetamine use Among High School Students (2005):
8.8% of students reported using methamphetamine one or more times during their life.4
Drug Offenses:
11% of 2005 Federal Drug Cases in Arizona involved methamphetamine.5
Lab Incidents:
There were 75 lab incidents in 2006.6
Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine Abuse:
3,234 treatment admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse in 2005;
12% of all drug abuse treatment admissions.7
State Laws Pertaining to Precursor Chemicals:
Requires retailers keep all single entity pseudo ephedrine products behind a store counter or in a locked facility; Makes it a crime to knowingly purchase more than 3 packages / 9 g of pseudoephedrine, norpseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine without a valid prescription or a license or permit; Makes it a crime to knowingly possess any ephedrine that is uncombined or is sole active ingredient or more than 24 g of ephedrine combined with another active ingredient without license or permit; Makes it a crime to knowingly sell, transfer or furnish more than 9 grams of any precursor chemical without a license or permit8
State ATR Resources
Contact
ATR Primary Contact Information
National Drug Intelligence Center Arizona Drug Threat Assessment
Arizona's Drug Endangered Children Program
Kingman Area Chapter Arizona Meth Community Coalition
Meth use among Arizona teens higher than national average
Community Needs Assessment October, 2006
RAND STUDY ESTIMATES THAT METHAMPHETAMINE USE COST THE U.S. ABOUT $23 BILLION IN 2005
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Methamphetamine Interdiction Summary Report
Addressing the Meth Crisis in Arizona - ARIZONA METHAMPHETAMINE CONFERENCE REPORT 2006
Meth documentary airs tonight accross Ariz.
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Methamphetamine Interdiction Summary Report - 1st Quater
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Methamphetamine Interdiction Summary Report - 2nd Quater
New Survey Demonstrates Increased Awareness of the Dangers of Meth Use
Survey: Meth use down among Arizona youths
ATR Highlights
Program at a Glance
| 3-Year Total Grant Amount: | $8,112,500 |
| Target Population: | Adult drug count participants presenting with methamphetamine-related issues |
| Target Areas: | Maricopa, Pima, Yavapai, Coconino and Cochis Counties |
SAIS: March 31, 2009
SAIS: March 31, 2009
Program Contacts
| Project Name: | Access to Recovery CHOICES |
| Project Director: | Tonya Hamilton (602)542-1760 |
| Government Project Officer: | Kim Thomas (240)276-2907 |
| Single State Authority: | Rogers Wilson (602)364-4626 |
| Governor: | Jan Brewer (602)542-4331 |
"...now I am able to live instead of die."
Arizona Expands Project to Tow New Counties
Chart depicts percent of clients that received each service. SAIS: March 31, 2009
Arizona's ATR project is a collaborative effort among State and local agencies that is administered by the State drug courts in Maricopa, Pima, an Yavapai counties. The State recently expanded the program to coconino and Cochise counties as well in an effor to accomplish its programmatic targets. The program called Changing How Independence Can Ensure Success (CHOICES), specifically targets qualified drug court participants who present with methamphetamine related issues.
Over the past quater, CHOICES expanded its array of services while maintaining a balance between treatment and recovery support services. Clinical treatment and covery support services. Clinical treatment accounted for 56.7% of all services provided. Case management (39.3%) represented the majority of recovery support services (RSS), while the addition of peer-to-peer (2.5%) and education (1.5%) rounded out the RSS that were delivered this quarter.
The program has continued to maintain steady outreach to clients, serving 394 participants this quater, only 82 short of its target goal of 476. Despite this shortfall, enrollment numbers are trending positive, with this quarter's recruitment representing a 25% increase over that of last quarter. The CHOICES program is having a positive impact on the clients it has seen. Abstinence from substance use, as measured by comparing intake data to discharge data, had increased by 466.7%
CHOICES Strengthens Provider Network
Over the course of the past quarter AZ ATR CHOICES has increased the number of provider trainings on the voucher management system (VMS) trainings due to the increased number of newly enrolled providers. The VMS training sessions, which cover topics such as billing processes and procedures, are also open to currently enrolled providers who want or need a VMS refresher. These trainings enable providers to reduce system errors and prevent delays in receiving payment. CHOICES also added a new enhancement to the VMS, which allows the data from multiple providers to be centralized in one system. Staff from each country can now create separate contracts for providers, adjudicate claims and enter information related to provider payment. All counties within the target area recently added a requirement for drug court clients. The requirement select a peer support person upon intake into the program. This requirement was initiated due to the high number of no-shows for the first appoint after the referral. ATR staff hopes that this motivational initiative will increase client engagement and retention in the program.
CHOICES continued to facilitate provider meetings in both secular and faithbased communities. Project staff this quater gaave presentations on ATR's benefits and available treatment options with the intent to recruit more providers into the program. ATR staff has also begun to set up provider forums with county probation officers and treatment and recovery support service (RSS) providers. Also, a recent SAMHSA-sponsored technical assistance proved instrumental in assisting Maricopa and Yavapai counties in recruiting and enrolling faith-based organizations into the provider network. With these efforts, CHOICES hopes to be better positioned to increase their provider base and offer ATR clients more provider choice.
Faith and Community based Updates
SAIS: March 31, 2009
Based on the data ending March 31, 2009, 22.6% of the providers that have received and redeemed vouchers were faith-based organizations, indicating significant faith-based involvement with project.
Maricopa staff and representatives from the Governor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families met with four current providers who provide peer-to-peer mentoring to inform them of the new requirement that all ATR clients will have a peer-mentor to increase client engagement and facilitate access to a wide array of services.
Additionally the program has established a continuous recruitment process in Maricopa County to ensure the enrollment of additional providers.
Success Story:
ATR Helps Drug Court Client Get Treatment
Lesley, now 47, was 17 when she started using drugs. For all of her adult life she says she did all kinds of drugs, but her drug of choice was methamphetamine,, which she used for the past twenty years. Like so many others who suffer from drug addiction, she did not enter treatment until she was arrested. Subsequent to her arrest, Lesley tested positive for meth and shortly thereafter entered treatment through the Drug Court.
Through the ATR program, Lesley was able to access the clinical treatment and recovery support services (RSS) that she needed. The project allowed her to be benefit from an approach that focuses on her as a whole person and not just an addict.
After 30 years of chronic drug use and abuse, Lesley is now clean, sober and very grateful to the ATR staff for a program that she says made her life better by "saving her life." "I got treatment, which led me to find out I had a life threatening illness I was unaware of. And now I am able to live instead of die."