Methamphetamine use, dependence and treatment access in rural and regional North Coast of New South Wales, Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the sociodemographic, health, drug use patterns, treatment coverage and barriers to treatment among regular methamphetamine users in rural and regional North Coast of New South Wales.


METHODS
A structured questionnaire was used to measure sociodemographic factors, health and well-being, drug use patterns, methamphetamine dependence, engagement in methamphetamine treatment and barriers to treatment. Participants were 140 regular methamphetamine users. Dependent and non-dependent participants were compared to identify factors associated with dependence.


RESULTS
Participants were predominantly in their thirties, male and had low levels of education, high levels of unemployment and polydrug use. Participants who were dependent on methamphetamine (59%) were more likely to report impaired mental health and to have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and drug-induced psychosis. One quarter of dependent methamphetamine users had received treatment in the last year and half had ever received treatment. The main barriers to receiving treatment were a lack of perceived need or motivation to seek treatment and concerns about confidentiality.


CONCLUSIONS
Methamphetamine users living on the North Coast of New South Wales require treatment options tailored to address a complex array of physical and psychological problems. The findings highlight the need for psychiatric support and improved coordination between mental health and drug and alcohol services in rural and regional areas.
Wallace
Cate
C
Public Health Training and Development Branch, New South Wales Department of Health, North Sydney, Australia. cawal@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Galloway
Tony
T
McKetin
Rebecca
R
Kelly
Erin
E
Leary
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D012423:Rural Health; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D008694:Methamphetamine