Profile of lifetime methamphetamine use among homeless adults in Los Angeles.
Although the dramatic rise of methamphetamine use in the general population has been well-documented, little is known about methamphetamine use in the homeless population. This study examines self-reported methamphetamine use and its correlates among a sample of 664 urban homeless adults in Los Angeles. Over one-quarter of the overall sample, and 60% of whites, disclosed lifetime methamphetamine use. Less than 10% of African-Americans reported ever using methamphetamine. Approximately one-tenth of respondents reported current methamphetamine use; almost 90% of current users shared straws to snort methamphetamine and half used it daily. Logistic regression analysis in younger (18-39) and older (40+) respondents revealed that white ethnicity, polydrug use and binge drinking were independently associated with lifetime methamphetamine use, regardless of age. Injection drug use (IDU) was also an important correlate of methamphetamine use for older African-Americans. IDU was not important for the younger group. Findings suggest that there is need for greater surveillance of methamphetamine use among homeless whites and Hispanics, and methamphetamine-use prevention and reduction targeted to younger, polydrug-using, alcohol-binging homeless adults.
University of California, Los Angeles, School of Nursing, Room 2-250, Factor Building, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1702, USA. anyamath@sonnet.ucla.edu
Adeline
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Nyamathi
Elizabeth L
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Dixon
Steven
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Shoptaw
Mary
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Marfisee
Lillian
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Gelberg
Stephanie
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Williams
Stephanie
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Dominick
Barbara
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Leake
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D013653:Tattooing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine