Hazardous chemicals used to make meth frequently cause fires and explosions.

Nearly 60 percent of county officials reported that methamphetamine is the largest drug problem in their county, a recent survey released by the National Association of Counties (NACo) revealed.

Eighty-seven percent of the county law enforcement agencies responding to the survey reported increases in meth-related arrests over the past three years. Fifty percent of the counties surveyed estimated that one in five of their current jail inmates were housed because of meth-related crimes. Seventeen percent of the counties indicated that more than half of their jail populations are incarcerated because of meth-related crimes.

“County governments across America are on the front lines in responding to the methamphetamine crisis,” said NACo President Angelo D. Kyle, a county board member in Lake County, Illinois.

According to the survey, other crimes are increasing as a result of meth. Seventy percent of the responding officials say that robberies or burglaries have increased because of meth use, while 62 percent report increases in domestic violence.

A related survey found that meth is a major cause of child abuse and neglect. Forty percent of all child welfare officials report increased out-of-home placements because of meth over the past year. Fifty-nine percent of county child welfare officials reported that when parents are addicted to meth, it increases the difficulty of family reunification efforts. Additional information is available from NACo at www.naco.org.