An evolving problem: methamphetamine production and trafficking in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine is a serious illicit drug problem in the United States and globally. For decades, methamphetamine has been supplied to the illicit market through local clandestine manufacturing and trafficking. In the early stages, illicit methamphetamine was produced and trafficked by motorcycle gangs and Mexican criminal groups. Over time, local clandestine manufacturing increasingly contributed to the illicit supply and broader methamphetamine problem. This review examines the evolution of the illicit methamphetamine supply in the U.S. METHODS: A review of the literature on methamphetamine production and trafficking was conducted. Information was obtained from numerous sources including governmental reports, books and academic articles. RESULTS: Attempts to control the supply of methamphetamine have only led to short term disruptions in availability. Clandestine manufacturing and trafficking have undergone significant changes over the past several decades. Shifts in local production have regularly been counterbalanced by changes in production and trafficking from criminal organizations in Mexico. Transnational criminal organizations now control much of the methamphetamine supply in the U.S. and methamphetamine remains widely available. CONCLUSIONS: The supply of methamphetamine in the United States is dynamic. Producers and traffickers have adapted to control efforts and the problem continues. Control efforts focused on eliminating supply are limited at best.

Investigating how decisions to use marijuana change over time.

This article examines illicit drug use from a decision-making perspective using data collected during 2000-2002 from 51 current and ex-users of marijuana in a large urban city in the central/southwest United States. A qualitative inductive approach based on grounded theory guided the analyses. We find that prior to experimentation and use, decision-making processes are general and nonspecific. In the later stages of drug involvement, decision-making processes become drug-specific. Individuals consider a number of different types of factors when making decisions about illicit drug use involvement. The study's implications and limitations are discussed and future research suggested.

Using marijuana in adulthood: the experience of a sample of users in Oklahoma City.

This study examines marijuana involvement among a sample of adult users in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 adult marijuana users between 2000 and 2002. Qualitative analyses of data on patterns of marijuana involvement in adulthood were conducted. Marijuana use is a leisure-time activity users engage in with close peers or alone. Adult users limit their consumption of marijuana to free time, and keep their marijuana use from interfering with other responsibilities. These adult users are controlled marijuana users; they view their involvement with marijuana as a personal, private, recreational activity.