Recorded presentation

Jane C. Maxwell, PhD, Center for Social Work Research, Universtity of Texas at Austin, 1717 West 6th Street,Suite 335, Austin, TX 78703, 512-232-0610, jcmaxwell@sbcglobal.net

Part of Proposed Session 91985

The spread of methamphetamine eastward across the U.S. and its effects in different Midwestern and Southern states as reported by members of the National Institute on Drug Abuse-sponsored Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG) and by quantitative data sets. Initially this west-to-east epidemic consisted of methamphetamine, which was either imported from Mexico or was “cooked” in small labs in rural areas. Users typically inhaled or injected the drug. More recently, the epidemic has been intensified by the introduction of “Ice,” a purer form that is usually smoked. The national Treatment Episode Dataset shows the spread of methamphetamine across the states by year, and it also shows the changes in client demographic characteristics. Methamphetamine has spread beyond the traditional users groups (whites, truck drivers, bikers, and gay males) to other population groups, including Hispanics and rural residents who use “Red Neck Cocaine.”

International data from Australia and other sites contributing to the CEWG effort will also be presented. Texas data, data from the ADAM program and the National Forensic Laboratory Identification system, as well as national and state surveys, provide addition information on the prevalence of methamphetamine use and the availability and levels of use in different geographic areas of the Midwest and South, and the first reports of methamphetamine problems are now emerging from states in the Northeast. The CEWG reports on patterns of use in various communities will be summarized, and these profiles, along with other datasets can be useful markers for further clinical assessments, treatment planning, and outreach needs

Learning Objectives: By the end of the presentation attendees will be able to

• Describe the nature and extent of methamphetamone use and abuse in Central and Eastern US and internationally;
• Understand the consequences of "speed" use in these settings;
• Understand the consequences of methamphetamine use and abuse among these populations.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Drug Addiction

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation