The Oregon Department of Human Services said that over the past five years the number of meth treatment admissions for boys under age 17 has grown steadily, and has skyrocketed 57 percent among girls.

In 2003 the state Office of Mental Health and Addiction Services reported that more than 1,700 children were treated for methamphetamine misuse in the state. Of that number, more than 1,000 were girls, up from 630 in 1999, and 742 were boys, up from 600.

"It came on so quickly," said Devarshi Bajpai, a specialist who develops state treatment programs and policies. "We're still working on treatment strategies for adults and don't know if they'll even work with adolescents."

Nonprofit groups and school districts have begun looking for the best strategies to prevent meth misuse among adolescents. For example, the Oregon Partnership has started airing television ads that were produced by Newberg High School students and target younger schoolchildren.

Addiction specialists have also begun school visits to give class talks on the dangers of meth.

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