Hawaii is near the top in national rankings in methamphetamine-related crimes and treatment admissions.

Hawaii Meth Project Executive Director Cindy Adams told legislative committees this week that the state ranks third in the nation for meth-related treatment admissions and fourth for meth-related drug offenses.

She said Hawaii emergency room visits linked to meth cost a total of $43 million in 2006. She also said use of the drug among 10th graders in Hawaii has increased 87 percent from 2005 to 2007.

The findings, from various sources, were cited in the 2009 Hawaii Use & Attitudes Survey, which the project conducts.

The project aims to reduce meth use through public service messaging, public policy, and community outreach.