On February 13 & 14, 2006, Governor Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Terry Goddard sponsored
a solution-focused conference: Addressing the Methamphetamine Problem in Arizona- Enforcement,
Prevention and Treatment - A Call to Action. The Conference provided a quality, fact-based array of
public policy and community action solutions for an audience that included law enforcement, human
services professionals, medical professionals, community-based organizations, educators, Tribal
organizations, the faith community and neighborhood activists.

Nationally recognized speakers provided insight into and recommendations about the impact of
methamphetamine and what is working nationwide in the areas of prevention, treatment and law
enforcement. Arizona experts shared their experiences regarding the impact of methamphetamine on
Arizona children, youth, families and communities, current practices to address the meth crisis in Arizona
and possible future directions. Finally, participants heard the public policy perspectives of some of
Arizona’s policy makers and presented their individual views of the issues and possible solutions.

The purpose of this report is to make our progress in the battle against methamphetamine transparent to the citizens of Arizona. The Governor’s "A Plan for Action: Addressing the Methamphetamine Crisis in Arizona" reported that over the past decade Arizona had seen a steady rise in the reporting of methamphetamine-related drugs as the primary illicit drug used by individuals seeking treatment. A Plan for Action also reported that methamphetamine use placed a disproportionate burden on law enforcement and the treatment and child welfare systems, making meth abuse not only a public health crisis but a public safety concern because of the devastation, violence, and crime associated with the manufacture and distribution of the drug.

This Progress Report shows that the Task Force has been responsive to its initial charge and has made significant strides in addressing the Plan for Action priority recommendations since its inception in August 2006. We have real and tangible outcomes and have created an infrastructure that will continue to respond
to this specific drug threat. The Task Force Progress Report serves as a recommitment by the Task Force
to continue its momentum in the upcoming year, keeping Arizona strong against the methamphetamine crisis.

This special topic report examines the prevalence and characteristics of co-occurring substance abuse and mental health problems among juvenile detainees in Maricopa County. The findings come from the Co-occurring Disorder Addendum used during 2007. The findings reveal that almost 30 percent of juvenile detainees were at risk for a co-occurring disorder, and face significantly greater difficulties across a number of critical factors, including incarceration, homelessness, and victimization.