Evidence-based prevention for methamphetamine: An emergent model

Based on a general causal model for substance abuse prevention, a logic model was developed for methamphetamine-related harm. The model is designed to specify major causal variables and their relations to one another and to methamphetamine use and harm. The model's purpose is to help guide the planning of effective prevention strategies by identifying promising intervention points in the system characterizing the production, distribution, sales, and use of methamphetamine. Particular attention is paid to prevention efforts that can be implemented by local communities based upon research evidence and experience. Development of the causal model was based on a review of the peer-reviewed scientific literature on methamphetamine, supplemented by reasoned arguments applying research evidence generalized from other alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) literature where empirical evidence was unavailable for methamphetamine. This review suggests that a mix of evidence-based strategies affecting key variables is necessary to reduce methamphetamine use and associated harm. Among the most promising appear to be multi-component community-based prevention approaches. Applied to methamphetamine harm, such approaches could combine law enforcement, local media coverage, community mobilization, and required treatment for users. In the past, similar community–based interventions using mutually reinforcing strategies have been shown to be successful in reducing other ATOD problems including impaired driving, alcohol-related assaults, and minors' retail access to tobacco. Special issues and limitations associated with applying the causal model to the prevention of methamphetamine-related problems are discussed.