Methamphetamine: California's Most Abused Drug

Methamphetamines have become the most commonly abused drug in California according to LegalMatch.com case statistics. Since 2005, 55% of LegalMatch customers seeking drug defense attorneys in California have been accused of possessing or distributing methamphetamine. Marijuana only makes up 26%, and Cocaine 10%. These statistics match 2007 stats released by the California Attorney General showing that "dangerous drugs" (methamphetamine) made up 49.5% of all arrests in the state.

There has been a lot of talk lately about the legalization of drugs as a means of saving tax dollars and cracking down on crime. According to "Internet Town Hall," President Obama was asked whether he thought legalizing marijuana could help improve the economy and create jobs. He responded with a "no" while the audience laughed and applauded the President’s ability to be the same as everyone else.

Of course, no one is seriously considering legalizing meth as a means of dealing with the problem of methamphetamine abuse. But could legalizing other drugs such as marijuana help law enforcement and drug treatment professionals concentrate on this more dangerous drug? After all, statistics (and health concerns) prove it is clearly California’s biggest drug problem.

Marijuana legalization may save us billions of dollars, but what about this other possible side benefit? California Judges, Probation Officers, and Diversion Programs will be able to concentrate more of their efforts on dealing with the fact that 50% of drug charges in California now deal with methamphetamines. By freeing up resources to better treat meth abusers and reduce recidivism and future abuse, we may also reduce incarceration rates and save the state even more money.

In a sense, legalization of one drug could have a domino effect on our state’s treatment of other, more serious drugs. Perhaps if President Obama had decided to answer a more serious question, we may have gotten something more than a laughter.

What do you think? Should marijuana be legalized? Do you think it would help the United States win the war on drugs?

Sources:
http;//www.legalmatch.com
http://www.cnn.com/2009/politics/obama
http://economic.about.com