Banned Chemicals Lead to Sharp Fall in Treatment Admissions

Banned Chemicals Lead to Sharp Fall in Treatment Admissions

A new study states that the Mexican government’s recent efforts to control the production of methamphetamine have resulted in a drop in treatment admissions in Mexico and across the border in Texas.

In 2005, Mexico started controlling its imports of pseudoephedrine. In 2008, Mexico became the first country in North America to ban all imports of pseudoephedrine and ephedrine. Researchers estimate that the 2005 import controls meant a 12 percent drop in voluntary admissions for treatment for methamphetamine addiction. There were similar reductions in treatment admissions in Texas.

A commercial chemical company suspected of illicitly importing more than 60 tons of pseudoephedrine into Mexico was closed in 2007. The head of the company left Mexico but was later arrested in the United States. This closure resulted in a sharp drop in voluntary admissions for methamphetamine addiction. Methamphetamine treatment admissions in Mexico decreased by 56 percent after the company closed. Texas had a similar reduction in admissions numbers. All drops in admissions seemed to be specific to methamphetamine. The study ended shortly after the 2008 bans of the chemicals went into effect. Researchers did take note that treatment admissions in Mexico showed signs of declining in the first few months following the bans.