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Oklahoma Laws and Programs

Since 1975, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBN) has enforced Oklahoma laws, trained local law enforcement agencies, and compiled drug-related statistics. The OBN works to control and reduce the demand and availability of drugs by disrupting the manufacture, supply, and trafficking of illicit drugs.

The drug with the most significant impact in Oklahoma is currently methamphetamine, while other drugs of focus include marijuana, cocaine, methadone, and hydrocodone products. Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to introduce laws restricting the purchase of methamphetamine precursors like pseudoephedrine. Additionally, Oklahoma has enacted laws to reduce prescription fraud, substance abuse, and “doctor shopping” (e.g., seeing more than one doctor at a time to obtain medication).

The Prescription Monitoring Program, Oklahoma Drug Courts, and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) are all major programs working toward the prevention and rehabilitation of drug abuse and use in Oklahoma.

Incarceration Rates and Drug Court Programs

In 1997 Oklahoma passed House Bill 1213, enacting the Truth in Sentencing Act, which amended all felony offenses to conform to sentencing structures, and mandated that at least 85 percent of prison sentences be served. Oklahoma's drug laws, being more severe than the national average, as well as mandated minimum policies, have contributed to one of the highest rates of incarceration in the nation. As for female incarceration rates, Oklahoma led the nation with the highest incarceration per capita in 2006 and 2009. It is important to note that among these incarcerations, 68 percent were due to nonviolent offenses. Possession and distribution of controlled dangerous substances were the two leading reasons for female incarceration in Oklahoma during 2009. Despite the actual reason for conviction, it was estimated that 63 percent of those incarcerated were determined to be in “high need” of substance abuse treatment.

In an attempt to reduce these incarceration rates, Oklahoma offers the Drug Court Program to individuals charged with nonviolent, substance abuse–related crimes. This has resulted in an estimated 86.2 percent reduction in unemployment for individuals who have completed the program. In May 2009 Senate Bill 1075 was signed, adding a floor amendment requiring every district court in Oklahoma to offer drug court services. The annual cost of incarceration in Oklahoma is $19,000, while drug court participation is $5,000 per year. Individuals who choose the program rather than incarceration have a re-arrest rate of 23.4 percent after four years, compared to 54.3 percent for other inmates. Currently, Oklahoma has 41 drug court programs in 58 counties; these courts are responsible for handling cases through comprehensive supervision, drug testing, treatment services, and immediate sanctions and incentives.

Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

The mission of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is to promote healthy communities and provide the highest quality care to Oklahomans. Since 1992, drug-only admissions into treatment centers increased from 1.6 percent in 1992 to 20 percent in 2006. Both amphetamines (19.7 percent) and marijuana (19 percent) admissions top those of alcohol (18.7 percent), cocaine (7.2 percent), and opiates (6.7 percent). Marijuana admissions have stayed the same over the last 14 years, but methamphetamine admissions have increased markedly. Drug dependency in adults over the age of 25 is significantly higher than the national average due to the widespread availability of methamphetamines. The abuse of prescription drugs, specifically hydrocodone products and methadone, is increasing in all areas of Oklahoma as a result of doctor shopping and indiscriminate writing of prescriptions by physicians. As of 2006 Oklahoma had 176 drug and alcohol treatment facilities available. However, only eight of those facilities offered treatment for opiate addicts.

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