Violence and Self-Harm among Methamphetamine Using High School Students: Implications for Programs and Policy

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.