Methamphetamine wasn't as widely-used of a drug after the early 2000s, but investigators from the Metro-Jeff Drug Task Force, whose identities must be confidential, warn that use of the drug has risen and it's now more potent.

They say the drug is regaining its popularity for two reasons: Meth is both cheap and easy to produce.

The ingredients are a key clue to help investigators track down meth makers. In 2018, Jefferson County ranked number one in the state in meth labs.

With meth leaving its mark in the North Country, the area is also seeing an increase in overdoses.

"It's just very destructive. You know many of the people who overdose and die are young but they have children. It just destroys families forever. We're all about preventing that," said Stephen Jennings, public information officer for the Jefferson County Public Health Department.

Although these overdoses can't be linked to methamphetamine, health officials are extremely concerned. They say an uptick in drug use typically correlates with economic factors.

"We have very elevated levels of poverty throughout our county. Whatever county where those are the circumstances, you have higher drug use," Jennings said.

Several addiction services like Credo and Anchor Recovery have been created, hoping to save lives.