Greater than half of all adults arrested within the San Diego area in 2022 examined constructive for methamphetamine, in line with a report launched Friday by the San Diego Affiliation of Governments.
In line with the findings, the constructive fee of meth use in 2022 was 55% for feminine arrestees and 52% for males. The report additionally discovered that 77% of males and 75% of females surveyed examined constructive for at the least one illicit substance — a drop from the 22-year excessive set in 2021 for males — 83% — however a pointy improve from the second-lowest fee in 2021 for females — 60%.
“An vital attribute of this report is wanting on the underlying components and desires these arrestees have that may assist stop re- arrests,” mentioned SANDAG Principal Prison Justice Researcher Octavio Rodriguez. “Persevering with efforts to collect data on psychological well being points, housing standing, and employment is essential to additional perceive how these could affect one’s chance to wrestle with substance use.”
Moreover, in line with arrestee interviews, a complete of 49% of arrestees reported they’d abused prescribed drugs — significantly tranquilizers and fentanyl.
Whereas fentanyl use has continued to extend over time, 86% of arrestees mentioned they’d not buy it and 35% mentioned they used a drug that they believed contained fentanyl with out understanding it, in line with the report.
Different findings embody 40% of these arrested self-reporting that they’d been recognized with a psychological well being dysfunction, 65% reported they’ve skilled homelessness and 29% reporting they’d dedicated against the law to assist their drug use.
Since 2000, SANDAG has performed interviews in native detention amenities by means of its Substance Abuse Monitoring program. This system “helps establish drug use developments amongst grownup and juvenile offender populations to assist inform prevention methods for the San Diego area,” in line with the company.
For the 2022 evaluation, 208 male arrestees had been interviewed on the Vista and Central Jails and 97 feminine arrestees at Las Colinas.
— Metropolis Information Service
