Ken Peay for State Senate - District 13
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Fighting Crime
Methamphetamine abuse and addiction has become a tremendous problem in Utah County over the past few years.
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug which is easily manufactured in simple laboratories. The affects of methamphetamine are similar to those of cocaine, but the drug is much less expensive. Its effects on individuals and families, however, is devastating.
Utah County saw more meth abusers in treatment than any other county in Utah (per 2003 admission data) with the exception of Salt Lake. Utah County's Division of Substance Abuse reported over 800 treatment admissions. Utah County's meth treatment admissions have increased nearly 5000% in the last 10 years. Sadly, just 40% of those needing treatment are able to receive it. By comparison, county treatment admission rates for most other substances stayed about the same.
Drug abuse is mainly a male oriented problem, but with methamphetamine abuse and addiction the opposite is true. More women's lives are devastated by meth than men's.
METH appears to be appealing to young women in the short term for several reasons:
There is a strong correlation between substance abuse and other social welfare problems, such as mental illness, poor health and injuries, child abuse and neglect, school failure, juvenile delinquency, employment problems, and criminal behavior.
There is a strong link between drug use and crime.
Almost one in three prisoners said they committed their current offense while under the influence of drugs. One in six committed their current crime to get money for drugs (not including alcohol).
found at: http://www.utahcountyonline.org/Images1/SubstanceAbuseTrendsNew.jpg
RECOMMENDATIONS
Urge all health care insurances to fund substance abuse services. In order to humanly deal with substance abuse, it must be recognized and treated like the disease that it is. Unless substance abuse is required coverage under health insurance plans it will continue to be a system that is primarily funded by the taxpayer.
Treatment v. Incarceration:
Treat the substance abusing offender in the community once community safety is assured. Community treatment saves tax dollars and is more effective. Support the Utah's Drug Offender Reform Act and form a true partnership between the community and the law enforcement community.
Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug which is easily manufactured in simple laboratories. The affects of methamphetamine are similar to those of cocaine, but the drug is much less expensive. Its effects on individuals and families, however, is devastating.
Utah County saw more meth abusers in treatment than any other county in Utah (per 2003 admission data) with the exception of Salt Lake. Utah County's Division of Substance Abuse reported over 800 treatment admissions. Utah County's meth treatment admissions have increased nearly 5000% in the last 10 years. Sadly, just 40% of those needing treatment are able to receive it. By comparison, county treatment admission rates for most other substances stayed about the same.
Drug abuse is mainly a male oriented problem, but with methamphetamine abuse and addiction the opposite is true. More women's lives are devastated by meth than men's.
METH appears to be appealing to young women in the short term for several reasons:
- It is cheap and easy to get
- Individuals report that the effects of the drug are extremely appealing
- It gives them the energy they need to take care of their children
- It gives them the energy to maintain a home
- It gives them the energy to keep working
- It helps women lose weight (often referred to as the "Jenny Crank" drug)
There is a strong correlation between substance abuse and other social welfare problems, such as mental illness, poor health and injuries, child abuse and neglect, school failure, juvenile delinquency, employment problems, and criminal behavior.
There is a strong link between drug use and crime.
Almost one in three prisoners said they committed their current offense while under the influence of drugs. One in six committed their current crime to get money for drugs (not including alcohol).
found at: http://www.utahcountyonline.org/Images1/SubstanceAbuseTrendsNew.jpg
RECOMMENDATIONS
Urge all health care insurances to fund substance abuse services. In order to humanly deal with substance abuse, it must be recognized and treated like the disease that it is. Unless substance abuse is required coverage under health insurance plans it will continue to be a system that is primarily funded by the taxpayer.
Treatment v. Incarceration:
Treat the substance abusing offender in the community once community safety is assured. Community treatment saves tax dollars and is more effective. Support the Utah's Drug Offender Reform Act and form a true partnership between the community and the law enforcement community.
