MAHONING COUNTY, Ohio - Agencies across the Mahoning Valley are reporting that Methamphetamine distribution and usage is up. 

On August 14, the Mahoning Valley Drug Task Force found 88 pounds of meth in a truck in Canfield Township. The vehicle had been ditched by 37-year old Jeffery Battle after a high speed chase.

It's not uncommon to find the drug in the area according to the Commander of the task force Larry McLaughlin. He said meth’s prevlance has been on a steady climb in the past four to five years. He said the drugs commonly come into the U.S from the southern border. 

“It really comes down to availability. Methamphetamine has become a lot easier to get than it was five years ago,” Lauren Thorp, the Associate Director of the Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board said. 

While dealers are bringing the drug to the area, recovery specialists are seeing it pop up on more drug tests and toxicology reports. Thorp said many are turning to it thinking it’s safer because of its lower overdose rates. But its effects can sometimes be worse than other drugs like opiates.

“It's a stimulant so it can lead to heart attacks, high blood pressure,” Thorp said. 

Specialists are also seeing it impact mental health more often - sometimes causing a meth induced psychosis. 

“It's making very permanent brain changes so we're seeing increases in people in the emergency rooms, psychiatric hospitals seeking treatment,” Thorp said.

Since meth is typically not a first choice drug, specialist say the key to getting usage numbers down is the same as the opioid crisis - educating kids on its dangers before they start to use. 

Thorp encourages anyone going through a drug addiction or mental health crisis to call the Coleman Access Center in Trumbull County at 330-392-1100 or to call 211 for help. 

As for Battle, he’s been charged with possession with intent to distribute and one federal count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.