The opioid crisis has rightfully garnered much attention. But there is another chronic drug-related scourge threatening our community that if left unaddressed I fear will have even more devastating consequences.
That threat is methamphetamine, also known as ‘meth,’ ‘crank,’ ‘crystal’ and ‘speed.’
Growing-up a native Sacramentan, I clearly remember back in the 1980s when the circumstances of the local meth problem centered on production in dangerous, rural homemade labs. After the 2005 Food and Drug Administration ban on over-the-counter sales of pseudoephedrine, an active ingredient in both cold medications and meth, the manufacturing of methamphetamine changed, and today two-thirds of the drug supply comes from Mexico.
Regardless of where it is produced, the perils and prevalence of meth in Sacramento have never been greater.
Back in 2011 when I was the freshman supervisor on the board, I was bombarded with statistics regarding the challenges I would face in the district and county I was elected to serve. One of those stats that stuck with me was that 54% of male bookings into our main jail tested positive for methamphetamine
I was “stuck” with another reminder about just how rampant the meth problem is, when in 2012 while helping to pick up trash and debris as part of an American River Parkway cleanup event, I was accidentally jabbed by a dirty hypodermic needle; the likely delivery instrument for someone’s meth addiction. Thankfully, my health wasn’t compromised, but that could have easily been one of thousands of other volunteers that day who, like me, would have had to undergo a three-weeklong, very uncomfortable prophylactic anti-viral regimen.
Ever since that extremely unpleasant personal experience, I’ve educated myself further about why methamphetamine is so dangerous and represents the threat it does for all of us.
For example, unlike other substance use disorders, long-term methamphetamine use can cause permanent full-blown toxic psychosis that manifests as extreme paranoia and violent, aggressive behavior. Despite these effects, those who use meth find its appeal in its ease of acquisition and relatively low cost, and unlike cocaine or even opiates, the euphoric high can last many hours.
Methamphetamine use is also unique among illicit street drugs because there remains no medically assisted treatment protocol to help addicts achieve sustained sobriety. This has severely narrowed effective interventions.
Finally, consider this head-shaking fact: meth is produced or “finished” here locally with caustic materials such as battery acid, drain cleaner, lantern fuel, and even anti-freeze — all easily obtainable ingredients. That’s what addicts are recklessly putting in their bodies that contribute to outward signs of use such as lost teeth (known as “meth mouth”), emaciation, and acute skin damage from persistent itching, scratching and untreated open sores.
So the obvious question is: What is being done about this daunting problem?
The first obligation is to be thoughtful and deliberate. That’s why in 2016 after expressing my concern about methamphetamine in several public settings, including at repeated board hearings and district community meetings, The Sacramento County Methamphetamine Coalition was established.
Comprised of healthcare professionals, community-based organizations, law enforcement, substance abuse treatment experts and concerned citizens, the coalition’s mission is to prevent meth use and addiction by increasing awareness, expanding treatment access, promoting prevention messaging, and encouraging early intervention, treatment and recovery. The road map guiding the coalition’s work is a strategic plan with clearly defined goals, objectives and expected actions to advance its mission, and reduce the human and community toll meth takes on us all.
With the support of the coalition and working closing with the county’s behavioral health team, my office has strongly advocated that we pay particular attention to the intersection with our criminal justice system.
With this in mind, I’ve suggested the county develop effective and sustainable treatment alternatives for individuals released from jail who struggle with meth addiction. Many drug treatment experts agree that it’s critical we take advantage of addicts’ “sobriety moment” so that they can exercise sound judgment and participate fully in their own recovery.
Offering or even requiring new treatment options for those who found sobriety while incarcerated could prove to be a new, game-changing intervention, and that’s why at my suggestion the Board of Supervisors has identified and appropriated millions in one-time startup costs, as well as future year sustained funding for the development and deployment of this new tool to fight methamphetamine use.
We must do things differently and achieve better outcomes when addressing methamphetamine in our community, and I stand committed to this charge.
Phil Serna serves on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors representing the First District