Methamphetamine Use in California Reaches All-Time High in People Who Use Fentanyl, Adding Fuel to the Fentanyl Crisis

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In 2023, a record 62,224 pounds of fentanyl were seized in California, an increase of 1,066% since 2021 – enough fentanyl to potentially kill the global population nearly twice over¹. While the state continues to grapple with this ongoing crisis, a dangerous trend in the co-use of methamphetamine has emerged that may significantly impact an already challenging situation. According to Millennium Health’s Signals Report™ for California, a staggering 72% of urine drug test specimens collected in 2023 from those who used fentanyl also contained methamphetamine, an increase of 2,235% since 2013.

Methamphetamine positivity rates among people who use fentanyl for seven of the most-populated counties in 2023 were:

• Fresno County – 86%
• Riverside County – 77%
• San Bernardino County – 75%
• Los Angeles County – 73%
• San Diego County – 65%
• Orange County – 60%
• Sacramento County – 60%

“The striking increases we’re seeing in methamphetamine use among people who use fentanyl adds a new layer of complexity to the fight,” said Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Angela G. Huskey, PharmD, CPE. “Consistent with national trends, the overwhelming majority of people in California who use fentanyl engage in polysubstance use—now mostly involving the use of methamphetamine—which creates unique treatment challenges.”

Additional information regarding current drug use trends can be found here.

About Millennium Health

Millennium Health is an accredited specialty laboratory with over 15 years of experience in drug testing. We provide objective information about patients’ recent use of prescription medications and/or illicit drugs which helps clinicians monitor and treat millions of Americans living with chronic pain, substance use disorders, mental health disorders or other health conditions. Our ability to monitor drug use trends allows us to alert clinicians, health agencies and others to real-time drug use changes to help inform more targeted drug overdose prevention and response strategies to save lives.

Reference

1. Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. California Seizes Record 62,000 Pounds of Fentanyl. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/02/27/california-seizes-record-62000-pounds-of-fentanyl/ Published February 27, 2024. Accessed March 14, 2024.