Accessibility links
California Program Would Pay Meth Users Who Stay Clean : Consider This from NPR Meth-related overdoses have tripled in recent years. In the west, 70 percent of police departments identify meth as their biggest problem. Now one state — California — is on the brink of implementing a major new treatment program that would pay drug users to stay clean. KQED's April Dembosky reports.

The meth surge has hit some Black and Native American communities the hardest. NPR's addiction correspondent Brian Mann has this look at what kind of help people in those communities say they need.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

Consider This from NPR

America's Other Drug Crisis: New Efforts To Fight A Surge In Meth

America's Other Drug Crisis: New Efforts To Fight A Surge In Meth

Listen · 14:06
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1043686720/1200110995" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Enlarge this image

Evidence seized from a drug trafficking operation in central California in early 2020 included methamphetamine and fentanyl with a street value of $1.5 million, authorities said. Tulare County Sheriff's Office via AP hide caption

toggle caption
Tulare County Sheriff's Office via AP

Evidence seized from a drug trafficking operation in central California in early 2020 included methamphetamine and fentanyl with a street value of $1.5 million, authorities said.

Tulare County Sheriff's Office via AP

Meth-related overdoses have tripled in recent years. In the west, 70 percent of police departments identify meth as their biggest problem. Now one state — California — is on the brink of implementing a major new treatment program that would pay drug users to stay clean. KQED's April Dembosky reports.

The meth surge has hit some Black and Native American communities the hardest. NPR's addiction correspondent Brian Mann has this look at what kind of help people in those communities say they need.

In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment that will help you make sense of what's going on in your community.

Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

This episode was produced by Brent Baughman. It was edited by Brian Mann, Lee Hale, Brianna Scott, and Matt Ozug. Special thanks to Carrie Feibel, Andrea De Leon, and April Dembosky. Our executive producer is Cara Tallo.