Crystalline methamphetamine use and methamphetamine-related harms in Australia.
Concerns about crystal methamphetamine use and harm have increased in multiple countries. This paper describes how changes in the availability and use of crystal methamphetamine have impacted on methamphetamine-related harms in Australia.



Data on methamphetamine use were obtained from population-level surveys, health service data and surveys of drug use among sentinel groups of ecstasy users and people who inject drugs. Data were obtained on seizures, arrests, clandestine laboratory detections, hospital separations, mental health unit admissions, drug telephone helpline calls and drug treatment episodes. Segmented linear regression models were fitted to identify changes in these series using log-transformed data where appropriate.



The availability of crystal methamphetamine has increased as evidenced by increased laboratory detections, domestic seizures and purity of the seized drug. Population surveys do not report an increase in the number of people who used at least once in the past year. However, more users report using crystal methamphetamine rather than lower-purity powder methamphetamine and more regular use. Indicators of methamphetamine-related harms have increased in parallel with this change. Amphetamine-related helpline calls, drug treatment, arrests and hospital admissions for amphetamine disorders and psychosis all peaked in the mid-2000s, declined for several years and have increased steeply since 2010.



The increased availability and use of crystal methamphetamine have been associated with increased regular use and harms. Treatment is required for those experiencing problems and the capacity of health services to provide care needs to be enhanced.[Degenhardt L, Sara G, Connor JP, McKetin R, Roxburgh A, Dobbins T, Farrell M, Burns L, Hall WD. Crystalline methamphetamine use and methamphetamine-related harms in Australia. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017;36:160-170].
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Louisa
L
Degenhardt
Sydney Medical School, Northern Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Grant
G
Sara
National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Rebecca
R
McKetin
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Amanda
A
Roxburgh
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Timothy
T
Dobbins
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Michael
M
Farrell
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Australia, Sydney, Australia.
Lucinda
L
Burns
Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.|National Addiction Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Wayne D
WD
Hall
D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003415:Crime / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015277:Hotlines / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016014:Linear Models; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008694:Methamphetamine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
amphetamine-type stimulants; dependence; injecting; methamphetamine; psychosis