Health and social harms associated with crystal methamphetamine use among street‐involved youth in a Canadian setting. (15th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uhlmann, Sasha; DeBeck, Kora; Simo, Annick; Kerr, Thomas; Montaner, Julio S.G.; Wood, Evan
• Is Part Of: American journal on addictions. Volume 23:Number 4(2014:Jul./Aug.)
• Page Start: 393
• Page End: 398
• Publication Date: 2014-03-15
• Subjects: Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.86005
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2014.12123.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-0496

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ajad12123-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and Objectives</title> <p>Despite recent increases in crystal methamphetamine use among high‐risk populations such as street‐involved youth, few prospective studies have examined the health and social outcomes associated with active crystal methamphetamine use.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12123-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>We enrolled 1, 019 street‐involved youth in Vancouver, Canada, in a prospective cohort known as the at‐risk youth study (ARYS). Participants were assessed semi‐annually and a generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with active crystal methamphetamine use.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12123-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Among 1, 019 participants recruited into ARYS between 2005 and 2012 the median follow up duration was 17 months, 320 (31.4%) participants were female and 454 (44.6%) had previously used crystal methamphetamine at baseline. In adjusted GEE analyses, active crystal methamphetamine use was independently associated with Caucasian ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.81), homelessness (AOR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.15–1.56), injection drug use (AOR = 3.40; 95% CI: 2.76–4.19), non‐fatal overdose (AOR = 1.46; 95%CI: 1.07–2.00), being a victim of violence (AOR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02–1.38), involvement in sex work (AOR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.03–1.86), and drug dealing (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.35–1.90).</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12123-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Discussion and Conclusions</title> <p>Prevalence of crystal methamphetamine use was high in this setting and active use was independently associated with a range of serious health and social harms.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajad12123-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Scientific Significance</title> <p>Evidence‐based strategies to prevent and treat crystal methamphetamine use are urgently needed. (Am J Addict 2014;23:393–398)</p> </sec> </abstract>