Crystal Meth in Mesa: Arizona’s Southwester Methamphetamine Market

Crystal Meth in Mesa: Arizona’s Southwester Methamphetamine Market

Methamphetamine poses a significant drug threat. Mesa, a large city near Phoenix and the U.S.-Mexico border, is a crucial node for the **import and distribution** of high-purity crystal methamphetamine into the rest of the U.S..

Regional Usage and Sourcing

• US Context:
The Western U.S. is characterized by the highest rates of methamphetamine use and addiction.
• Sourcing:
High-purity crystal meth is predominantly manufactured by **Mexican DTOs** in Mexico and Southern California, which rely on Arizona’s border to move the drug inland.
• Purity and Forms:
Methamphetamine purity across the U.S. is consistently **high**, averaging over 90 percent, driving severe risks.

Severe Health and Social Consequences

The harms associated with methamphetamine use are universally severe and often linked with the opioid crisis.

• Cardiovascular Damage:
Use immediately increases heart rate and blood pressure, potentially leading to stroke, heart attack, and heart failure.
• Psychosis and Paranoia:
Long-term use is linked to severe psychotic symptoms, including paranoia and hallucinations.
• Infections:
Injecting methamphetamine significantly increases the risk of acquiring and transmitting blood-borne viruses like **HIV and viral hepatitis**.

Legality and Penalties in Arizona (Federal)

Methamphetamine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act.

• Classification:
Methamphetamine is a **Schedule II** stimulant with a high potential for abuse.
• Trafficking Penalties:
Federal trafficking penalties are severe and quantity-based, ranging from **5 to 40 years** for a first offense involving 50 grams of pure meth or 500 grams of mixture, escalating to mandatory life imprisonment for repeat offenders with large quantities resulting in death or serious injury.