METH USE AMONG AMERICAN YOUTH 'HIGHER THAN EXPECTED'

FRIDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) -- More American youth may be abusing
crystal methamphetamine than was previously known, a new study finds.

"This new information gives us a clearer picture of use among young
adults and also raises new concerns," U.S. National Institutes of
Health Director Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni said in a prepared statement.
"Use of crystal methamphetamine is associated with multiple health and
social risks, including a negative impact on families, as well as
straining emergency departments and law enforcement resources."

The study, published in the July issue of the journal Addiction, was
funded by the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of
the NIH.

Researchers analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Study of
Adolescent Health. They found that in 2001-02, 2.8 percent of young
adults (ages 18-26) reported that they'd used crystal methamphetamine
at some time in the previous year.

That's considerably higher than the 1.4 percent rate of use among
young adults (ages 19-28) reported by NIDA's 2002 Monitoring the
Future Survey.

The new study found that methamphetamine users were disproportionately
white, male and lived in the West. It also found that Native Americans
were 4.2 times more likely to use the drug.

Lower socioeconomic status and the use of other substances (such as
alcohol, marijuana and cocaine) were also common among meth users.
Male users were more likely to have fathers who were in prison.

The study also found that crystal methamphetamine use was strongly
associated with drug sales and risky sexual behavior (such as low
condom use) among women.

"The study showed not only greater use of crystal methamphetamine, it
also suggests the drug is associated with risky and antisocial
behaviors, including other illicit drug use. By examining these
connections, we hope to identify new avenues for treatment and
prevention," NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow said in a prepared statement.