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Rise in Meth-Related Teen Treatment Admissions Tracks National Trends

LOS ANGELES, CA, March 13, 2006 – The latest treatment admissions data from Phoenix House, the largest nonprofit substance abuse treatment provider in the country, shows a steady increase in California teens entering treatment for methamphetamine abuse.

From 2002 to 2005, the number of adolescents entering treatment for methamphetamine (meth) abuse rose 16 percent, from 172 admissions to 210 admissions. As a share of the overall teen treatment population in California, the increase has been even more dramatic. In 2002 admissions for meth represented just over a quarter of Phoenix House adolescent admissions. Last year 42.3 percent of new teen admissions were for meth. Phoenix House’s California adolescent programs are located in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.

“The surge in our teen treatment admissions for meth over the past three years is significant for two reasons,” said Winifred B. Wechsler, Executive Director of Phoenix House. “First, as we see increasing evidence that the meth epidemic is spreading eastward, it is clear that the intensity of the meth problem is not abating, but rather increasing, on the West Coast where it began. Second, the teen population we treat is becoming more of a challenge – our clinicians report that methamphetamine users are particularly difficult to engage during their first 30 days of treatment.”

The trend in Phoenix House’s California programs is consistent with data released last week by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), showing that meth treatment admissions have recently increased fourfold.

The data released by SAMHSA was from the 2003 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS). It measured treatment admissions nationwide for individuals 12 and older from 1993 to 2003. Over that period, the number of people admitted to treatment for methamphetamine and amphetamine rose from 13 to 56 per 100,000 individuals 12 and older.

“Our data should also be a stark warning that more must be done, both on the law enforcement side and the treatment and prevention side to combat meth,” said Ms. Wechsler.

One 17-year-old girl currently in treatment at Phoenix House attested to the prevalence of meth among California teens. “The use of crystal meth among girls my age is overwhelming,” she said. “It is definitely more prevalent in certain areas but overall I was shocked by how many young people were getting into using meth. The first time I used meth was the first time I had ever heard of it and I came to realize that it is a huge trend among teenagers; especially girls. A lot of my friends referred to it as the cheaper way to do cocaine because it lasts longer and is much less expensive.”

Phoenix House was recently asked to offer testimony before the California Senate Select Committee on Methamphetamine Abuse. A male teenager in treatment testified about the wide availability of meth in California as well as its highly addictive nature.

More than 2,200 individuals each day receive treatment through 29 Phoenix House programs throughout Southern and Central California. Phoenix House serves Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties with facilities located in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Santa Fe Springs, Encinitas, Mission Beach, Monrovia, and Venice.

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Media contact:
Linda O'Hanlon
818-386-1916