Health and social harms associated with crystal methamphetamine use among street-involved youth in a Canadian setting.

2014 | Am J Addict

Abstract:

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: 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.

METHODS: 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.

RESULTS: 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).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 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.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Evidence-based strategies to prevent and treat crystal methamphetamine use are urgently needed. (Am J Addict 2014;XX:XX-XX).

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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Health and social harms associated with crystal methamphetamine use among street-involved youth in a Canadian setting.

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