Meth users burden ERs, study finds

WASHINGTON — Methamphetamine users appear in emergency rooms more than users of any other drugs and the need for proper addiction treatment is growing, according to two studies released by the National Association of Counties Wednesday.

These findings demonstrate the need for more federal help in fighting meth abuse and treating those who use it, according to Patrick Fleming, director of the Salt Lake County Division of Substance Abuse Services.

"Simply locking people up is not going to solve the problem," Fleming said at a press conference in Washington. "Treatment really is the answer to what we do."

Fleming, and the association, said a partnership is needed among all levels of government to fight the problem and help users.

"I think it is really time for this to be a national issue," Fleming said.

The association conducted two surveys in late 2005. Two hundred hospital emergency-room officials in 39 states, including one in Utah, responded. The association would not give a county-by-county breakdown to protect those that responded. It also contacted county behavioral health directors in 35 states to ask about meth treatment. Five in Utah responded.

Of the 200 hospitals, 47 percent said meth is the top illicit drug, the next highest being marijuana, and 73 reported more meth-related emergency-room visits in the past five years.

Of the health officials that responded, 69 percent reported an increase in need for treatment programs because of an increase in meth use and 63 percent felt they do not have the capacity they need in treatment programs to treat meth addicts.

"You can treat meth, we have to treat meth," Fleming said. "We've got so many people out there right now that need treatment, we have to figure out ways to do this. It does work. I've seen it work."

He called meth the "starship" on a chart showing drug use in Utah because the line representing the drug rises so far above the others.

Fleming said meth is becoming the "drug of choice for women," many during their child-bearing years or with young children.

Beyond the illnesses using meth can cause, the association points to social problems such as higher foster-care rates, environmental contamination from meth labs, cost to hospitals — especially because users rarely have health insurance — and ultimately the cost to taxpayers.