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The Meth Epidemic: Its Effect on Children and Communities

In this issue of the Journal there is an article by Jacob Gettig and colleagues presenting an in-depth description of the methamphetamine (meth) epidemic that is sweeping across the nation. A recent issue of Newsweek had a cover story featuring the scope of the epidemic and the effects of methamphetamine use (Jefferson, 2005). Being a resident of the state of Iowa, I know that reports of meth laboratory seizures or fires are all too commonplace in the news media. Iowa had the second highest number of clandestine laboratory seizures in the nation in 2004, second only to our neighbor to the south, Missouri. News reports include stories of homemade laboratories with the raw materials needed to manufacture meth in both rural and urban areas, reports of detoxification of homes or outbuildings that house these laboratories, and descriptions of children being removed from homes where meth has been manufactured and used. Rural states have been hard hit by the epidemic because of easy access to raw materials used to manufacture this illicit drug; the ease in setting up laboratories in isolated areas; and the quick dispersal of meth odors, which allows it to be produced without being noticed (Herrick, 200S). Anhydrous ammonia tanks are frequently parked in farm product venues and may be dropped off in farm fields before spring planting. This dangerous chemical may be stolen from these storage tanks or actually towed away from dealers or farm fields. There has been a movement to put locks on anhydrous ammonia tanks to prevent siphoning of this volatile chemical, as well as to place tanks in locked, fenced-in areas at dealers. Farmers are encouraged not to leave tanks unattended in their fields and to monitor them regularly. Another material needed to manufacture methamphetamine is the pseudoephedrine found in over-thecounter cold preparations. It has been easy for meth manufacturers to buy this product in large numbers in drug stores, grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations. Taking the lead from Oklahoma, which passed stringent legislation to regulate the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine, Iowa has passed similar legislation, followed by Oregon, where even stronger legislation has been passed. This legislation specifies that these products can only be sold in pharmacies, purchasers must show some form of identification, and the number of boxes that can be sold at one purchase is limited. At the time this legislation was proposed, there was resistance from the drug industry about restricting where their products could be sold and the limits placed on each sale. Pharmacists were concerned about the extra work that would be required to dispense these products from locked cabinets and recording information about those purchasing these products. In addition, convenience store owners balked about not being able to sell these products, and consumers were unhappy about not being able to purchase these products at any hour of the day or having to go to a pharmacist to purchase them, especially in isolated rural areas where a pharmacy may not be located close by. However, as legislation has been passed and more states are proposing similar legislation, the opposition seems to be diminishing as there is an increasing awareness of the problem and what will be required to stem the epidemic of meth use in this country (Consumer Healthcare Products Association, 2005). Recent reports indicate that the number of meth laboratories discovered in Iowa has been reduced by over 80-90% as a result of this legislation, a pattern similar to the success of the Oklahoma law. There is now movement toward federal legislation to restrict the sale of these products nationwide. A major concern about meth is the effects of use on physical health, mental health, and productivity. These effects are described in detail in the article in this issue. There are also concerns about the effects on dental health (Guzman-Armstrong, 2005). However, a greater concern relates to the effect that meth has on the children who are in the home during the manufacture and use of this illicit drug. These children are at serious risk for emotional, developmental, and physical problems (Swetlow, 2003). Parents who use methamphetamine are likely to neglect their children's physical and developmental needs. Physical and sexual abuse by parents or others in the home is