Meth addiction continues to be a growing problem in a state on the front lines of the drug war.

While overall numbers for meth use in the United States appear to have plateaued in the last few years, there has also been a rise in the number of Texas residents seeking treatment for addiction to the drug.

A report from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that 15.8% of Texans seeking help for addiction issues in 2014 (about 6,219 individuals) stated that methamphetamine and amphetamines were the source of their problem. That number reflects an increase of more than 500 prospective treatment patients than those reported in 2013.

Though the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 made it more difficult to manufacture or obtain meth in the United States, the drug continues to flood the American market through the U.S.-Mexico border. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has reported record seizures of meth at the port of entry in San Diego, California, and similar situations have been reported in other border states like Texas.

The prevalence of the drug, its relatively low price, and the potency of Mexican-made meth, are all key factors in the rise in numbers for Texas addiction treatment. The drug has so flooded the state that substance abuse programs are reporting a notable increase in the amount of children seeking treatment.

“If the kids are getting it, that means it’s available on the street and it’s not very expensive,” said Jack Feinberg, the Texas vice present of Phoenix House. Article Link “the fix”…