The Ongoing Meth Epidemic in Rural Oklahoma

 

In the early 2000s, the Oklahoma state lawmakers passed legislation that stopped the production of methamphetamine in local labs, including restrictions on the sale of Sudafed, a major component in methamphetamine manufacturing. Consequently, meth labs nearly (but not entirely) disappeared across the state.

The Methamphetamine Is Still There

Because labs weren’t blowing up and lab fires weren’t in the news as much, public attention went off the methamphetamine problem—at least for a while. But, as predicted by the Oklahoma Narcotics Bureau, the methamphetamine problem persisted in Oklahoma. The distribution lines simply shifted. Methamphetamine now arrives in Oklahoma from an additional source—the Mexican cartel. But it’s the same drug with the same attendant violence, theft, and child welfare cases. And it remains the number one cause of overdose deaths in Oklahoma, with the number more than doubling over the past five years.

The Greatest Illicit Drug Threat

In fact, methamphetamine is described as the “greatest illicit drug threat in Oklahoma” by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control.

These statistics are more than numbers. They reflect real people, real suffering, and community hardship.

One Couple’s Firsthand Experience with Methamphetamine

One couple who has witnessed and experienced firsthand the impact of methamphetamine abuse on a community are “Mike and Joan.” Although we’ve changed their names here, their stories are very real.

Mike and Joan live in a small town in rural Oklahoma. Mike relocated his family there five years ago to escape the high-pressure, fast-paced, often unfriendly environment of the Northeast.

Going west seemed sensible. For over a century the adage “Go west, young man” has symbolized the American dream of expansion and opportunity. Mike wanted that. Rural Oklahoma seemed the perfect place to care for his family, run his auto repair shop, and follow his dreams. So, Mike chose a small rural town in Oklahoma known for its surrounding beauty, artistic culture, and thriving agriculture.

That is where Mike met Joan. She grew up in western Oklahoma, attended college there, and got married. But when that marriage didn't work out, Joan moved to rural eastern Oklahoma with her three young children. Like Mike, she saw it as the perfect place for a fresh start—and a safer place to raise her kids.

Everything Is Not OK in OK

But for Joan and Mike, things haven't worked out the way they had hoped. Some things are not OK in OK. Anyone driving through nearly any rural Oklahoma area can see there’s a problem.

We interviewed Joan to get her real-life perspective on the drug abuse situation in Oklahoma.

What led you to choose rural Oklahoma for your business and family?

My husband’s journey and my journey to eastern Oklahoma come from different walks of life. My husband is from Rhode Island. He left the bigger city for a quiet place in the country to raise his children and care for his parents, who are getting older.

I’m originally from western Oklahoma. I went to college there and got married. When the marriage didn’t work, I moved here to eastern Oklahoma and met Mike.

Mike has two older children, and I have three younger ones. We both moved here thinking it was a better place to raise kids. I liked the small, rural town setting that we have here. It’s less populated, and the town is a step back in time.

What specific changes in your community over the past five years do you attribute to drug abuse?

A meth cooker blew up a downtown building. Now it's just a concrete slab.

Several local businesses have been robbed.

A known meth addict burned down a hotel and a tire shop. It was straight-up arson. Some people on Facebook were defending the guy because he is a meth user and needed help, not prison. I heard he is now in rehab. I hope that is true.

The town is struggling to survive, and the meth isn't helping.

Eastern Oklahoma is supposed to be about its natural beauty, the arts, handicrafts, and our agriculture. The trees in the fall bring in the tourists, so we still have seasonal business. But people are worried. The tourism seems to have decreased.

I'm not sure whether the downturn is because of the economy or worry about meth. Nobody wants to come to a little dying meth town. Who wants to stay at a hotel if they're afraid that their car might get broken into?

I believe a lot of our young people are bored, so they get into these drugs.

How can you tell if a person is on methamphetamine?

It's more about how they act than how they look. Meth users don't make much sense when they talk. They won't look at you, put their hands in their pockets, and act really jittery. Some of them are skinny and have bad skin with sores.

You can spot the sketchy people.

How widespread do you believe drug abuse is in your area?

I would estimate that up to 50% of the people in most small rural Oklahoma towns are abusing meth. There isn’t much else to do. It travels faster in the small towns because everyone knows each other.

Meth affects the whole state. Every town has a meth problem; some are worse than others.

Also, people don’t want to reach out to their community for help because they are afraid of judgment.

How is the methamphetamine coming into the state as far as you know?

There are still some meth cookers, but now we have illegal immigrants who are trafficking drugs and children and bringing in crime.

Can you describe any firsthand experiences with people you know who have struggled with addiction?

I learned that my first husband was using meth shortly after our first child was born. He was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute. I bonded him out for $1,100 and took him to Ray's House, a faith-based rehab in eastern Oklahoma. I thought it was a great program, but my ex did not want to get clean.

I tried everything I could to help him, but nothing worked. I lost a lot of my friends because I chose to stay with him and try to fight the addiction. My family disowned me for five years.

I saw him change from being a great dad to just not caring anymore. At one time, we had a home and cars paid for and great kids. Meth took all of that from him.

My ex-husband used to smoke meth in our home, and I didn't know it. I feel that my children have been affected by meth residue in the house, and my daughter likely received meth through my husband's skin when he would hold her. They are all still receiving tests for neurological issues that I feel are related to the meth use of my ex-husband.

I wish I had understood then what I understand now, because I would have acted differently.

My parents unknowingly bought a home where meth had been cooked. My mother was pregnant with my youngest brother at the time. When he was born, he had seizures and had to be connected to a monitor. When my parents moved out, the seizures stopped. My brother never had another seizure in his life, and now he is in college. So, I know that meth residue can affect people who aren't even using the drug.

My aunt also abused meth—and I would always hear about her being in and out of rehab.

Fortunately, I have never done methamphetamines.

How has drug abuse in the area impacted your business?

We have had multiple thefts and attempted thefts, even though we are one block from the police station. Meth users aren’t working, so they have to steal. A daily fix is about $40 a day, depending on how much they smoke.

We have made payment arrangements with customers and were left with thousands of dollars in unpaid debts.

I’ve had to leave my office and chase people away from hanging around the business because I was worried they were casing it for robbery.

We are working to get on top of this. We have purchased locks and motion lights, and the police are working with us. They are going to be watching the place. We have a fingerprint-trained officer, and law enforcement investigates our issues of theft.

What do you foresee for the future of your community, given the current drug abuse issue?

I don't think little towns will survive if the meth abuse continues like it is. Small local businesses are already trying to survive and can't make it if they are being robbed and burned down.

However, the last kindergarten class had nine kids who wanted to be cops, so maybe that is a sign that the future generation wants to change things for the better.

What potential solutions do you see for addressing drug abuse locally?

The biggest thing is having activities for the youth to participate in. Unless you want to be a cowboy, there isn't a lot to do here. We don't have arcades, skating rinks, bowling alleys—we don't even have a movie theater. Kids need more to do than get messed up with their friends.

I think having speakers who were affected by drug use would be helpful. The lectures could be from the drug abusers and family members who were affected.

Drug abusers could speak about how they have had to go to several drug rehabs, and now they can't get a job. They can talk about how they lost their kids and how relationships have to be rebuilt. There are some things you can't undo—you have to mend them.

Drug education should be done in the schools—talk to the high schoolers. Go to the vocational tech schools. Tons of churches would probably appreciate the drug education, and there is also a community center here. Most small towns will have those things. Many have libraries, and libraries are okay with people giving lectures in them.

Also, I feel that if a person is caught with meth, they should be taken in immediately. It's not something to be played around with. It is so detrimental. Meth does things to the nervous system that you can never undo.

I don't feel that cops would be a good place for drug education, as many people are trained not to trust cops.

What support or resources would be most helpful from a drug education program in your community?

Our local Pinacol counseling facility office may be a good place to start the lectures. Pinacol is a local resource that provides clothing, counseling, medical insurance, and food.

A local rehab center would also benefit the area. Maybe we could have a rehab so people could get clean and still see their families. Many drug abusers have kids and families.

Have you noticed any positive or significant developments in how law enforcement is handling the issue of drugs?

Not really. I haven't seen any DARE info come home from the schools.

They are probably overwhelmed with the meth problem. They know who their local problem people are but can't do anything about it. I heard in some places cops are just handing out tickets if people get caught with meth.

 

What would you like to say in closing?

Oklahoma is a great place, and the rural communities offer a lot of charm and love. The rural towns are fighting a tough battle on their own. They could use more resources.

The rural towns are worth fighting for.

Narconon Arrowhead Is Here to Help

Narconon Arrowhead, Drug Rehabilitation and Education Center, is here to help our friends in Oklahoma.

We will provide free drug education lectures to local groups, including church youth groups, community centers, and scouting organizations. Our speakers understand the issues around drug abuse and can connect with young people.

In addition to drug education lectures, Narconon will provide free drug informational booklets and assist in distribution in the most vulnerable areas that are especially hard hit by drug abuse.

We love our home in Oklahoma—and appreciate the beautiful landscapes, the lakes, the rich Native American and cowboy heritage, but most of all—the people.

We agree with the Oklahoma Standard, the statewide initiative that promotes civic responsibility based on the core values of service, honor, and kindness.

Let’s join forces!

Call us for more information on our drug education booklets and drug education programs.

Sources:

1. Sweeny, Katherine. “Methamphetamin is killing more Oklahomans than any other drug”. StateImpact Oklahoma. 12-15-22. https://www.kosu.org/show/stateimpact-oklahoma/2022-12-15/methamphetamine-is-killing-more-oklahomans-than-any-other-drug
2. “Drug Threat Assessments”. Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Oklahoma. 2024. https://www.obndd.ok.gov/news-and-publications/publications/drug-threat-assessments