Meth Prices

 Ethnographic sources in Honolulu report that meth is the most problematic drug in that area. In Honolulu, there are more treatment admissions for meth use than alcohol abuse. The Honolulu ethnographer states that high-quality meth labs are found by police many times each week. "Clear" and "cloud" are the two types of meth found in the area, descriptive of differences in appearance of the product. "Clear" is considered to be more pure than "cloud." Prices are $40 per 1/10 gram on Oahu and $50-$100 for the same amount on the big island. Smoking is the most common method of administration.

Los Angeles ethnographic sources report that meth use has increased, and may be supplanting cocaine in popularity in that it is less expensive and has a longer-lasting high. Denver sources also state that meth use continues to increase in that area. In Austin, where meth availability is increasing and prices are dropping, it is reportedly popular in nightclubs. In Seattle, sources report that meth use is very popular, but use rates have reached a plateau. However, in 1997, meth-related fatalities increased in that area. Sources report both smoking and injection. Meth prices have declined in Seattle and sources note that a shift to meth use could be due to the drug becoming less expensive than cocaine. Experts estimate that one ounce of meth equals about 110 "hits" of meth.

Meth prices vary by area:
• Denver $25 per one-quarter gram (injectors usually do not purchase less than one-quarter gram)
• Minn./ St. Paul $100 per gram
• St. Louis $37 to $100 per gram
• San Diego $50 to $80 per gram (purity in 1997 was 20 to 40 percent)
• Seattle $80 to $120 per gram (purity was 35 to 90 percent)
• San Francisco $60 to $100 per gram

    1998 1999 2000 2001

	Meth Powder   1998 - 2001 PRICE DATA   National and Metropolitan Area Ranges in US Dollars
	National Range	$3,500 - $30,000	$2,000 - $21,000	$3,000 - $23,000	$3,000 - $23,000
	Houston	N/R	2,000 - 17,500	5,000 - 14,000	6,000 - 10,000
	Phoenix	N/R	2,000 - 10,000	3,000 - 6,500	3,000 - 6,500
	San Francisco	N/R	3,500 - 10,000	3,000 - 12,000	3,000 - 13,500
	Seattle	N/R	4,250 - 11,000	4,250 - 8,000	4,000 - 8,000
	St. Louis	N/R	N/R	N/R	10,000
	National Range	$450 - $2,500	$350 - $3,000	$300 - $2,500	$300 - $2,200
	Houston	750 - 2,000	750 - 1,400	350 - 1,200	500 - 800
	Phoenix	500 - 800	500 - 800	300 - 600	300 - 600
	San Francisco	450 - 800	500 - 1,000	450 - 1,100	450 - 1,500
	Seattle	N/R	350 - 900	325 - 650	325 - 550
	St. Louis	800 - 1,600	800 - 1,600	700 - 1,300	700 - 1,400
	National Range	$20 - $200	$20 - $200	$20 - $300	$20 - $300
	Houston	100 - 125	70 - 100	85 - 100	85 - 100
	Phoenix	80 - 135	50 - 60	48 - 55	48 - 55
	San Francisco	N/R	N/R	N/R	80 - 100
	Seattle	N/R	20 - 60	20 - 60	20 - 60
	St. Louis	37 - 100	N/R	100 - 200	100 - 150
	N/R = Not Reported

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