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Crystal methamphetamine use, most prevalent in young adults, has been little studied. To learn more about rates of use and associated factors, these researchers examined confidential self-reported data from 14,322 nationally representative young adults (age range, 18–26) from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.
Crystal methamphetamine use in the past year was reported by 2.8% of respondents and in the past 30 days by 1.3%. Of those reporting past-month use, 37% had used it once in that month, 31% two to three times, and 32% four or more times. Factors associated with past-year use were male sex, U.S. birth, being white or Native American, living outside the Northeast, being a school dropout, use of other drugs and alcohol, poverty, father’s incarceration history, and high novelty seeking. Compared with whites, Native Americans had an especially increased risk for crystal methamphetamine use (odds ratio, 4.2).
Unadjusted analyses suggested associations between use by both men and women and history of arrest, drug selling, violent behavior, or risky sexual behavior. After adjustment for other substance abuse and novelty seeking, only selling drugs or risky sexual behavior in women were associated with crystal methamphetamine use.
Iritani BJ et al. Crystal methamphetamine use among young adults in the USA. Addiction 2007 Jul; 102:1102-13.
Comment
These rates are substantially higher than those reported among young adults in previous large epidemiological studies. Most crystal methamphetamine use appears to be occasional, but even occasional use has social and health risks. Thus, clinicians need to ask young adults about use — especially considering that young female crystal methamphetamine users have a heightened risk for selling drugs and engaging in risky sexual behavior, in addition to the risks associated with other drug use.