![](media/image1.wmf) ***[News Release]{.smallcaps}***

440 First St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20001-2080 www.naco.org

#### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tom Goodman \-- 202-942-4222 

**January 18, 2006 <tgoodman@naco.org>**

**Meth abuse causes more emergency**

**room visits than all other drugs**

***Need for meth treatment programs growing dramatically***

Washington, D.C. -- Two new surveys released today by the National
Association of Counties (NACo) show that methamphetamine abuse continues
to have a devastating effect on America's communities.

One survey, "The Effect of Meth Abuse on Hospital Emergency Rooms,"
revealed that there are more meth-related emergency visits than for any
other drug and the number of these visits has increased substantially
over the last five years. The second survey, "The Challenge of Treating
Meth Abuse," showed that the need for treatment programs for meth
addiction is growing dramatically and lack of funding is an obstacle in
meeting this demand.

"There is no question that meth abuse is having a devastating effect on
America's communities," said Bill Hansell, President of NACo and
Commissioner in Umatilla County, Ore. "Some states have enacted
legislation that has been effective in reducing the number of local labs
that produce meth. But officials in two of those states have said that
the number of users has not been reduced. We still have a fight on our
hands. The vast majority of meth being used today is being imported into
our country. We have to find a way to treat those people that have
become addicted and prevent others from becoming addicted."

Both surveys were conducted in late 2005. The results of the emergency
room survey are based on 200 responses from hospital emergency room
officials in 39 states. Most of the hospitals participating in the
survey are either county owned or operated. The second survey asked 200
county behavioral health officials in 26 states about drug treatment
programs and how they have been affected by the meth epidemic.

Hansell said the surveys illustrate the difficult problem county
governments are facing financially to provide the services that are
needed. Forty-seven percent of the hospitals say that methamphetamine is
the top illicit drug involved in presentations at their hospitals. The
drug next highest on the list is marijuana at 16 percent.

more

**NACo Meth Surveys**

**Page 2**

Seventy-three percent of the hospital officials in the survey reported
that emergency room presentations involving meth have increased over the
last five years, and 68 percent reported continuing increases during the
last three years.

The problems are compounded because the patients rarely have health
insurance. Eighty-three percent of the emergency room officials reported
that people requiring treatment for a meth-related emergency are often
uninsured. Hospital costs are rising as a result. Fifty-six percent of
the hospitals reported that costs have increased because of the growing
use of meth. County governments and their residents have to pay the
rising costs of this uncompensated care.

In the second survey, 69 percent of the responding officials reported an
increase in the need for treatment programs in their counties because of
the growing use of meth. However, 63 percent of the officials reported
that they do not have sufficient capacity in their county programs to
treat meth addicts and 57 percent say the reason is lack of funding.

Another factor affecting treatment programs is that treatment for meth
addiction is different from other drugs. Fifty-four percent of the
officials reported that the success rate is different and 44 percent
said that the length of time in the program is longer for meth addicts.
Meth users seeking treatment require special protocols and longer
treatment periods than users of other drugs.

Hansell said NACo wants Congress to pass and President Bush to sign
comprehensive legislation that will address all aspects of the meth
abuse problem. This will include legislation on precursors and increased
funding for treatment.

"The President is a strong supporter of substance abuse treatment
programs," Hansell said. "We hope that he will recognize the need for
more funding for treatment."

This is the second set of surveys that NACo has released on meth abuse.
In July 2005, NACo released the results of two surveys it conducted on
the impact of meth. The surveys reported responses from county sheriffs
and police departments and from child welfare officials. The survey of
500 sheriffs and police departments showed that meth abuse is the top
drug problem facing counties in America.

In an alarming number of meth arrests, there is a child living in the
home. Often, these children suffer from neglect and abuse. Forty percent
of the counties where child welfare activities are the responsibility of
the county reported that out of home child placements have increased
because of meth, according to the second survey released in July.

**\#**

NACo is a full-service organization that provides legislative, research,
technical and public affairs assistance to county governments. Created
in 1935, NACo continues to ensure that the nation's 3,066 counties are
heard and understood in the White House and Congress.
[www.naco.org](http://www.naco.org/)