REPORT SHEDS LIGHT ON DRUG USE IN COUNTY

PROVO -- Utah County substance abusers prefer marijuana over
methamphetamine, and they are more likely to use heroin than cocaine.

A recent report by the state Division of Substance Abuse shows that,
despite Utah County statistics, throughout the state "meth" is the
drug of choice.

"I think our rate is a little below the state average, but not a
lot," said Dr. Joseph Miner, the director of the Utah County
Department of Health. "We have lots of substance abusers."

Miner said methamphetamine is the fastest growing serious concern,
although alcohol is the most commonly abused substance.

In both the state and the county, the majority of people -- 42
percent statewide, 36 percent locally -- who received treatment for
substance abuse last year did so as a result of alcohol addiction.

In 2001 in Utah County, 17 percent of people in treatment were there
for methamphetamine, compared to 21 percent of the people who were
being treated for marijuana.

Both state and local agencies have found difficulty in treating the
large number of young women who are addicted to meth.

"One problem we find when treating women is finding a place to treat
them when they have dependent children," Miner said. "We are working
on a residential facility where they can get treatment and have their
children with them."