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Abstract #166254

Sandra Noffsinger¹, Kristen Clements-Nolle, PhD², William Lee, BS³, and Wei Yang, MD, PhD¹. (1) School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Reno, Lombardi/ 274, Reno, NV 89557, (2) School of PublicHealth, University of Nevada, Reno, University of Nevada, Reno MS 274, Reno, NV 89557, (3) University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada Center for Health Statistics and Informatics, Lombardi/ 274, Reno, NV 89557, 775-784-4041, wlee@unr.edu

Background: Recent research has shown that youth who use methamphetamine engage in higher rates of sexual risk taking, however, there is limited data investigating the association between methamphetamine use, violence, and self harm. Methods: 1,556 high school students in Nevada completed the 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Weighted analyses were conducted to determine whether methamphetamine use is associated with violence and self harm behaviors. Results: In 2005, 188 (11.7%) of sampled high school students in Nevada reported lifetime use of methamphetamine. Compared to youth who never used methamphetamine, those with a history of use were more likely to report: carrying a weapon (45% vs. 15%; p<.001), carrying a weapon to school (22% vs. 5%; p<.001), being in a physical fight (65% vs. 31%; p<.001), being in a physical fight on school property (29% vs. 12%; p<.001), dating violence (29% vs. 8%; p<.001), forced sexual intercourse (27% vs. 7%; p<.001), feeling, seriously considering suicide (40% vs. 13%; p<.001), making a suicide plan (39% vs. 12%; p<.001), attempting suicide (31% vs. 6%; p<.001), riding in a car with someone who had been drinking alcohol (56% vs. 23%; p<.001), and driving when drinking alcohol (36% vs. 7%; p<.001). Conclusions: An alarming number of high school students in Nevada used methamphetamine and were significantly more likely to engage in violence and self-harm behaviors. Our results suggest that programs and policies aimed at decreasing violence and self-harm must also address methamphetamine use. There is an urgent need for youth-specific prevention, drug treatment, and harm-reduction programs.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the relationship between methamphetamine use, violence, and self harm among high school students;
• Identify potential prevention, drug treatment, and harm-reduction interventions for high school students;
• Identify potential methamphetamine prevention policies for high school youth.

Keywords: , Adherence

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.