Riverside, California: The Meth Capital of the World
The development of methamphetamine, commonly referred to as meth, began when a Japanese chemist was the first to synthesize amphetamine in 1919, according to PBS. Methamphetamine is a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant. In the 1980s, drug producers in the U.S. found that ephedrine, an ingredient present in many over-the-counter cold medications, can also be used to create methamphetamine, commonly known as crystal meth. Unfortunately, shortly after this discovery, meth became widely available, particularly in California, and the meth addiction epidemic reached gigantic proportions, with the state becoming the meth capital of the world.
Where Did the Meth Epidemic Start?
The modern illicit meth epidemic is generally traced to the 1980s in California and the Pacific Northwest, spread by motorcycle gangs who controlled early production and distribution networks. To combat the rising prevalence of designer drugs, the U.S. government enacted the Federal Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act in 1986. However, the use of methamphetamine continued to spread, expanding from its origins in California into rural areas across the Midwest and South. The epidemic evolved significantly in the 1990s with the introduction of “superlabs” in Mexico and California, which could be created in basements or mobile homes, leading to countless meth overdoses.
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Where Are the Major Meth Hubs in the U.S.?
California remains a major meth hub in the U.S. However, the issue has grown well outside the state and spread to small and large communities across the country. The key regions with high methamphetamine activity include:
Southwest Border Region
- The primary entry point for foreign-produced meth
- Major distribution routes through Texas, Arizona, and California
The Midwest
- Areas of Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas have historically seen significant activity
- Often called part of the “meth belt.”
Pacific Northwest
- Long-established trafficking routes
- Major distribution centers in larger cities
Atlanta
- Has emerged as a significant distribution hub for the Southeast
- Connected to multiple interstate trafficking routes
Where Is Meth Produced?
The chemicals found in meth can be obtained through over-the-counter medications, and the ways to create the drug are well-known. The major and industrial-scale production occurs in these areas around the world:
Mexico
- Currently the primary source of U.S. supply
- Large-scale industrial production facilities
- Concentrated in areas with cartel presence
United States
- Mostly smaller operations now due to restrictions on precursor chemicals
- Rural areas see more production due to isolation
- Has decreased significantly since pseudoephedrine restrictions
Southeast Asia
- Golden Triangle region (Myanmar, Laos, Thailand)
- Large production facilities
- Primarily supplies Asian and Pacific markets
Eastern Europe
- Supplies European markets
- Growing production region
What Is the Overdose Rate in California?
California has seen significant increases in overdose deaths in recent years with the state experiencing 10,952 drug overdose deaths in 2022, according to the CDC, with fentanyl involved in the majority of overdose deaths. Urban centers such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have been particularly hard hit, though the crisis extends into rural communities as well. Several factors have contributed to this deadly trend, including the widespread contamination of the drug supply with fentanyl and social challenges such as housing instability. The COVID-19 pandemic period also saw a marked increase in overdose deaths, as isolation, economic stress, and limited access to support services created additional challenges for those struggling with substance use. For California residents needing help, drug rehab in Riverside is available for residents nearby struggling to overcome addiction.
Find Treatment in the Meth Capital of the World at Resurgence Behavioral Health
Drug addiction in California is highly widespread, affecting residents from various backgrounds and communities across the state. With its significant population and geography, California has become known as the meth capital of the world. While the distinction is nothing to boast about, the state has helped lead the cause to provide treatment for meth addiction in California. Resurgence Behavioral Health provides all types of meth addiction treatment, including detox, inpatient, and outpatient services. We ensure each patient is treated according to their individual needs and has access to treatment support every step of the way during recovery. Please call us today at 855-458-0050 to learn more about how our California rehab facility can help fight the meth epidemic in the state.
External Sources
- Wikipedia – Methamphetamine in the United States
- PBS – Timeline | The Meth Epidemic
- CDC – Drug Overdose Mortality by State
