Indicators of methamphetamine use and abuse in San Diego County, California: 2001-2005 - PubMed (original) (raw)

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Indicators of methamphetamine use and abuse in San Diego County, California: 2001-2005

Robin A Pollini et al. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2007 Nov.

Abstract

San Diego County, California, is a major distribution center for methamphetamine entering the U.S. from Mexico. All available indicators suggest that the use and abuse of methamphetamine increased between 2001 and 2005. Drug treatment admissions for primary methamphetamine use accounted for 49% of all drug treatment admissions in 2005, up from 37% in 2001, with trends showing smaller proportions of female and Hispanic users and a larger proportion of methamphetamine smokers (vs. inhalation or injection). Increases in prevalence of methamphetamine use were documented among arrestees as well; by 2005, 51% of female and 21% of juvenile arrestees tested positive for methamphetamine. The proportion of emergency department visits involving illicit drugs in which methamphetamine was reported increased from 32% in 2004 to 40% in 2005, although this change was not statistically significant, and methamphetamine-related deaths increased 48% between 2001 and 2005. Data from non-federal drug seizures in San Diego County documented an increase from 21% of all drug items analyzed in 2001 to 32% in 2005. In summary, methamphetamine remains the drug of utmost concern in San Diego. The availability of multiple data sources is imperative for constructing valid characterizations of trends in methamphetamine use and abuse and its affect on health.

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Figures

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 1

Drug Treatment Admissions in San Diego County, 2001–2005 Source: California Alcohol and Drug Data System

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 2

Percent of ED Visits Involving Illicit Drugs that Involved Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana and/or Methamphetamine, San Diego Metro Area, 2004–2005 Source: OAS, SAMHSA, updated May 1, 2007

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 3

Deaths Involving Methamphetamine, San Diego County, 2002–2005 Source: San Diego County Medical Examiner

FIGURE 4

FIGURE 4

Percentage of All Items Tested by National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), San Diego County, 2001–2005 Source: NFLIS, DEA

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