The epidemiology of methamphetamine risk and harm in Australia
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 21:54authored byDegenhardt, L, Roxburgh, A, Black, E, Raimondo BrunoRaimondo Bruno, Campbell, G, Kinner, S, Fetherston, S
Introduction and aims. There has been considerable media attention recently upon possible increases in methamphetamine use in Australia. Much of this debate has focused upon extreme cases of problematic crystal methamphetamine use, without reference to the broader population context. This paper provides data on methamphetamine use in Australia, and documents trends in methamphetamine-related harms. Design and Methods. Data used were from: (1) Australian Customs Service drug detections; (2) Australian Crime Commission drug seizure, arrest and clandestine laboratory detections data; (3) National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) and Australian Secondary Student Alcohol and Drug Survey (ASSADS); (4) data from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) and Ecstasy and related Drug Reporting System (EDRS); and (5) data from NSW Emergency Department Information System, National Hospital Morbidity Database and Australian Bureau of Statistics causes of death databases. Results. There appears to have been an increase in both importation and local manufacture of meth/amphetamine. Population data show that meth/amphetamine use remains low and stable. However, clear increases in crystal methamphetamine use have occurred among sentinel groups of regular drug users. Frequent crystal use among regular injecting drug users is associated with earlier initiation to injecting, greater injection risk behaviours and more extensive criminal activity. In recent years, indicators of meth/amphetamine-related harm have stabilised, following steady increases in earlier years. Discussion and Conclusions. Some methamphetamine users experience significant problems related to their use; harms are particularly prevalent among regular IDU. Methamphetamine users, however, are a diverse group, and strategies need to be appropriately targeted towards different kinds of users. [Degenhardt L, Roxburgh A, Black E, Bruno R, Campbell G, Kinner S, Fetherston J. The epidemiology of methamphetamine use and harm in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2008;27:243-252].
History
Publication title
Drug and Alcohol Review
Volume
27
Pagination
243-252
ISSN
0959-5236
Department/School
School of Psychological Sciences
Publisher
Informa Healthcare
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Repository Status
Restricted
Socio-economic Objectives
Public health (excl. specific population health) not elsewhere classified