Courts and Crime
Crime related to meth production, distribution and possession affect treatment and corrections in Montana.
Treatment or drug courts combine intensive supervision with drug testing, sanctions and rewards to try to reduce recidivism and rehabilitate drug users.
A number of Montana laws specifically address meth production, distribution, possession and treatment.
Sentencing statistics
Data from the United States Sentencing Commission show that in Montana and across the country, drug-related cases account for about 35 percent of all offenses. In Montana, 74.3 percent of federal drug cases involve meth, while nationally, methamphetamine accounts for 21 percent of drug offenses.
Distribution of Sentenced Offenders by Primary Offense Category |
||
Offense |
Montana |
Nation |
Drugs |
28.1% |
34.4% |
Firearms |
17.5% |
11.6% |
Fraud |
13.4% |
10.7% |
Immigration |
10.9% |
24.3% |
Other White Collar (includes embezzlement, forgery/counterfeiting, bribery, money laundering and tax) |
4.4% |
4.7% |
Larceny |
2.7% |
2.4% |
Robbery |
0.5% |
1.6% |
Other |
22.4% |
10.2% |
Distribution of Drug Offenses by Drug Type |
||
Drug |
Montana |
Nation |
Methamphetamine |
68.9% |
20.3% |
Marijuana |
17.5% |
25.2% |
Powder cocaine |
7.8% |
24.7% |
Crack cocaine |
5.8% |
20.7% |
Heroin |
0% |
5.5% |
Other |
0% |
3.7% |
Your
day-in, day-out stuff is alcohol-related, but most of our serious, violent cases have meth underpinnings."