Eliminate the Meth Market

“Monitoring the Changing Methamphetmaine Market in the Austin Area

Principal Investigator: Jane Maxwell, Ph.D.

Sponsor: National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health

Duration: 8/14/209-07/31/11

This exploratory/developmental grant proposal will test the ability of an epidemiological tool to survey active drug users about their patterns of use and the drug markets in the Austin , Texas metropolitan area. This tool will help explain the relationship between the supply of a drug and the demand of the users. Because of the changes in the drug market as imported Ice, which is smoked, replaces the locally-produced powder which is inhaled or injected, methamphetamine was chosen to test this proposed tool. The aims and primary research questions to be investigated are (1) To understand the demand for methamphetamine based on use of the different forms of the drug; (2) To understand how the differences and changes in the drug market and supply of drugs influences the behavior of users as the supply shifts between locally-produced and imported powder and “Ice”; (3) To define socio-economic typologies that differentiate users according to the type of drugs used, reasons for use, sources of their drugs, and characteristics of the users who frequent different markets. The findings from the study will help us understand how trends in drug use are influenced by changes in the drug market and how supply affects the demand for drugs. It will provide information about the types and forms of the drug that are available, the profiles of those who use the different varieties, the routes of administration, patterns of risky behavior, severity of dependence, the relationship between use of the drug and criminal activity, sources of the drug, the current and emerging drug markets, perceived purity and diluents, and the risks and treatment needs perceived by users, as well as the problems and needs seen by key informants who come into contact with drug users.

 

The project will interview 500 active methamphetamine users using Respondent Driven Sampling to reach a hidden population. It will also interview 30 key informants who come into contact with methamphetamine users as a result of their jobs. The "leading" findings of the interviews with users and key informants will be combined with "lagging" data on adverse events such as poison control center calls, emergency room episodes, treatment admissions, and deaths. These findings will not only provide in-depth information about current methamphetamine use, but they will test the value of this proposed system as an epidemiological tool to monitor drug trends.”

Mexican cartels emerge as top source for U.S meth

By William Booth and Anne-Marie O'Connor

Washington Post Staff Writer 
Sunday, November 28, 2010; 12:37 AM

IN VERACRUZ, MEXICO Exploiting loopholes in the global economy, Mexican crime syndicates are importing mass quantities of the cold medicines and common chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine - turning Mexico into the No. 1 source for all meth sold in the United States, law enforcement agents say.

THIS STORY

·        Mexican cartels emerge as top source for U.S meth

·        Inside Mexico's drug war

Nearly three years ago, the Mexican government appeared on the verge of controlling the sale of chemicals used to make the drugs, but the syndicates have since moved to the top of the drug trade.

Cartels have quickly learned to use dummy corporations and false labeling and take advantage of lax customs enforcement in China, India and Bangladesh to smuggle tons of the pills into Mexico for conversion into methamphetamine. Ordinary cold, flu and allergy medicine used to make methamphetamine - pills banned in Mexico and restricted in the United States - are still widely available in many countries.”