Methamphetamine in Wisconsin

What is Wisconsin doing?

Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen is responsible for overseeing and administering numerous proactive initiatives by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, designed to prevent meth from hitting our streets, to protect our communities from the violence methamphetamine causes, and to punish those who manufacture, distribute or use methamphetamine.

In Wisconsin, the Attorney General and the state's Department of Justice work closely with the United States Attorneys for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin, as well as other local and federal law enforcement agencies, to meet the challenges posed by this very dangerous drug.  Meth users and traffickers pose a special challenge to law enforcement agencies, because they frequently become violent and often assault family members, health care providers and law enforcement officers.  Both U.S. Attorneys' Offices have placed a special emphasis on the prosecution of traffickers in methamphetamine.  Several major dealers have been removed from communities and placed in federal institutions for significant periods of time.

Special agents in the Department of Justice's Narcotics Bureau work with local and federal law enforcement agencies to disrupt the flow of meth produced in west coast "super labs" into Wisconsin.  The Narcotics Bureau's Methamphetamine Initiative has three main components: the Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Task Force, criminal methamphetamine investigations and increased law enforcement training and public awareness.

The CLEAR Task Force is designed to enable state and local law enforcement to work together to fight meth in those areas where the threat is most imminent.  The CLEAR Task Force consists of approximately 110 members, representing over 50 law enforcement agencies throughout Wisconsin.  Additionally, 29 special agents from the Narcotics Bureau are members of the CLEAR Task Force.  During 2006, CLEAR Task Force members responded to 27 clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in Wisconsin, and training was provided to almost 20,000 police officers and citizens regarding methamphetamine use and abuse.  The CLEAR Task Force has responded to approximately 527 labs since the program began in 1999.

The Methamphetamine Initiative also created a Drug Endangered Children program, to mitigate the effects on children of toxic chemicals and controlled substances at sites where children are located.  The Department of Justice is coordinating the creation of multi-disciplinary Drug Endangered Children teams across Wisconsin, and annual Drug Endangered Children training conferences have been since 2005.  Attorney General Van Hollen has been instrumental in obtaining additional funding in the Department of Justice budget for continued Drug Endangered Children training in Wisconsin in 2007 and 2008.

Public education also plays an important role in fighting meth.  In an effort to ensure that the citizens of Wisconsin are aware of the threat posed by methamphetamine, Department of Justice officials address the meth issue with over 20,000 Wisconsin citizens annually.

How are we doing?

Wisconsin got ahead of the meth problem in 1999 when the Department of Justice established its Methamphetamine Initiative, and Wisconsin's methamphetamine problem remains less severe than in our neighboring states.  We have been proactive on the meth issue for eight years, and our efforts have already reduced the number of clandestine methamphetamine labs in Wisconsin.  In 2006, the Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement and Response (CLEAR) Task Force responded to 27 labs in Wisconsin.  This compared favorably with surrounding states: Iowa had 334 labs, Illinois had 759 labs, Michigan had 204 labs, and Minnesota had 31 labs.  If current trends continue, it is projected that Wisconsin will have fewer than 20 labs in 2007.

Ongoing efforts in Wisconsin:

• Continuing emphasis on Department of Justice DCI Narcotics Bureau agents working with local multi-jurisdictional drug units to conduct multi-county investigations where DCI resources (e.g., buy funds, technical services, etc.) are used to target conspiracy groups responsible for large shipments of methamphetamine into Wisconsin.
• Coordinating with Minnesota law enforcement authorities when individuals cross state lines to traffic methamphetamine.  Through past investigation it is now well known that the Minneapolis/St. Paul area is the source for much of the methamphetamine in northern Wisconsin.
• Responding by allocating CLEAR Task Force assets throughout Wisconsin in accordance with the current state of the meth problem in each region.
• Increasing criminal interdiction activities on Wisconsin highways by DCI and the Wisconsin State Patrol to combat the importation of bulk quantities of methamphetamine into Wisconsin.
• Facilitating information-sharing efforts among law enforcement agencies statewide.
• Providing an extensive public information program, including methamphetamine awareness training for law enforcement personnel, health care workers and other public officials.
• Promoting the training, support and assistance available through Wisconsin's Drug Endangered Children program.

Attorney General Van Hollen is committed to the fight against methamphetamine, and will continue efforts to ensure that Wisconsin does not see the disturbing increase in the number of methamphetamine cases that has been the experience of many of our neighboring states.

<< Previous

Next >>

Learn more about Wisconsin Department of Justice drug enforcement efforts

Report illegal drug activity in your area.
Wisconsin's Drug Tip/Pharmacy Hotline allows the public and pharmacists to report suspected illegal drug activity in Wisconsin.
The toll-free number is 1-800-NAB-DRUGS (622-3784).
Reported Information is reviewed by DOJ Narcotics Bureau personnel and then referred to local law enforcement agencies for appropriate action.

This page created by the Department of Justice. All text, images or associated items are property of the Department of Justice, and may only be reproduced with the consent of the Department of Justice.
DOJ Home | Privacy Policy | Contact DOJ