Maine Methamphetamine Prevention Project
What is the Maine
Methamphetamine Prevention Project?
Maine ’s Methamphetamine Prevention Project is an education effort
designed to:
- Increase awareness about the harm associated with methamphetamine
production and use.
- Increase capacity of key institutions and community members to prevent
the production and use of methamphetamine in Maine.
What is the Current Status of Methamphetamine
in Maine?
- We have seen small but significant indicators that methamphetamine
use is growing in Maine.
- From January 2005 through July 2006*, the Maine Drug Enforcement
Agency has made 10 methamphetamine lab seizures in the following
counties:
- Aroostook (3)
- Androscoggin (4)
- Cumberland (1)
- Penobscot (2)
(*Total labs in 2005 – 5; 2006 YTD – 5)
- In the past year, there have been 31 methamphetamine-related
arrests in Maine, 23 of which were in Aroostook County.
- In 2005, 43 Mainers entered a treatment program and identified
methamphetamine as their primary drug of
choice. As of August 1, 2006, 69 individuals had entered treatment
for methamphetamine abuse.
- In other states it has been found that rural areas are prime locations
for meth labs. With Maine’s vast rural landscape, this is an
area of concern for our communities.
- Maine ’s close proximity to Canada could contribute to easy
trafficking of substances used in the manufacture of meth.
- Other states have found that the most effective method of reducing
the number of home labs is to restrict the sale of the key ingredient,
pseudoephedrine. As of November 1, 2005 Maine
law restricts the sale of this
precursor ingredient to pharmacies only. The Federal
Combat Meth Act (word) also places restrictions on products containing
pseudoephedrine.
If you suspect methamphetamine related activity always put your
own safety first. Leave the scene immediately and contact your local
police or sheriff for assistance.
