Extent of Use

Demand Statistics

In 2020, 2.5 million Americans aged 12 or older reported having used methamphetamine in the past year. From 2015-2018, an estimated 1.6 million U.S. adults aged ≥18 years, on average, reported past-year methamphetamine use. Among adults who used methamphetamine during this time:

53% met diagnostic criteria for methamphetamine use disorder.
Less than 1 in 3 of those with methamphetamine use disorder received substance use treatment in the past year.
3% reported injecting methamphetamine in the past year.
Co-occurring substance use and mental illness were common.

The National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) is a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) program, Diversion Control Division. NFLISDrug systematically collects drug identification results and associated information from drug cases submitted to and analyzed by Federal, State, and local forensic laboratories. These laboratories analyze controlled and noncontrolled substances secured in law enforcement operations across the country, making NFLIS-Drug an important resource in monitoring illicit drug use and trafficking, including the diversion of legally manufactured pharmaceuticals into illegal markets. NFLIS-Drug includes information on the specific substance and the characteristics of drug evidence, such as purity, quantity, and drug combinations. These data are used to support drug scheduling decisions and inform drug policy and drug enforcement initiatives nationally and in local communities nationwide.

https://www.nflis.deadiversion.usdoj.gov:8443/nflisdata/docs/NFLISDrug2020AnnualReport.pdf

The top five drug reports received by NFLIS-Drug between July 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021.

Methamphetamine 80,515,
Fentanyl 31,120,
Cocaine 30,112,
Cannabis/THC 27,949
Heroin 13,492

https://www.nflis.deadiversion.usdoj.gov:8443/nflisdata/docs/NFLIS_Snapshot_092021.pdf

Reference

Jones CM, Compton WM, Mustaquim D. Patterns and Characteristics of Methamphetamine Use Among Adults — United States, 2015–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69:317–323. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6912a1external icon

National Forensic Laboratory Information System. NFLIS-Drug 2020 annual report - nflis.deadiversion.usdoj.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2022, from https://www.nflis.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/nflisdata/docs/NFLISDrug2020AnnualReport.pdf National Forensic

National Forensic Laboratory Information System: NFLIS ... (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2022, from https://www.nflis.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/nflisdata/docs/NFLIS_Snapshot_092021.pdf