Will the methamphetamine problem go away?
Methamphetamine use has clearly reached epidemic proportions in large parts of the western and midwestern US. Because of the regional specificity of methamphetamine use, there is speculation that it may be a temporary problem and not a long-term public health problem. Unfortunately there are a number of factors that suggest that significant methamphetamine problems may persist or even expand. For this reason, it is important that federal law enforcement, prevention, research and treatment agencies prepare strategies to address the likelihood of this persisting problem. This article reviews the issues concerning the future of the methamphetamine problem in the US and provides some recommendations for setting priorities to address the problem.
Rawson
Richard A
RA
UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, UCLA Department of Psychiatry, USA.
Anglin
M Douglas
MD
Ling
Walter
W
D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005544:Forecasting; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011340:Problem Solving; D011634:Public Health
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine