Methamphetamine: The Choice Drug

To raise awareness of the rising use of methamphetamine throughout the United States, The Early Show is offering a three-part series on the problem.

Here are some facts about methamphetamines and meth abuse which is fast becoming the scourge of some American towns.

• According to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 12.3 million Americans ages 12 and older reported trying meth at least once.
• Meth users are generally: high school and college students, white- and blue-collar workers, unemployed workers in their 20s and 30s.
• The problem, originally concentrated in the West, but now has spread throughout almost every major metropolitan area in the U.S. with the exception of the Northeast.
• Meth use comes at a high cost to communities: an increase in crimes ranging from theft to assault, an increase of children displaced to foster care. As well as highly toxic meth lab sites that are dangerous and difficult to clean up.

Source: National Association of Counties, Office of National Drug Control Policy (CSM/CBS