Pubdate: Sat, 16 Jun 2007 Source: Austin American-Statesman (TX) Copyright: 2007 Austin American-Statesman Contact: http://www.statesman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/32 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath