Abstract
Concerns about methamphetamine/crystal methamphetamine (MA) have featured prominently in the Canadian media and on addiction
treatment agency agendas. We examined MA admissions at addiction treatment agencies to determine if a service gap existed.
In 2006, all addiction treatment agencies (n = 124) in Ontario, Canada were invited to complete an on-line survey. The provincial database provided admissions data for
2006–2008. Amongst participants (n = 100), 53% reported an increase in clients with MA problems between 2004 and 2005. Nine percent considered MA to be a significant
problem and 60% indicated that MA was a minor problem or not a problem in 2005. Forty-seven percent of participants said that
MA problems were more common among males and 60% of MA clients were aged 16–24. Most (89%) agencies integrated MA clients
into regular programs and 73% had not considered developing specialized MA programs. MA admissions peaked at 2.4% of admissions
in 2005 and dropped to a lower, stable percent (2006–2008). Media and public alarm about a MA ‘epidemic’ is not consistent
with admissions data or agency experience. Consideration of objective evidence before demands for additional resources is
necessary.
treatment agency agendas. We examined MA admissions at addiction treatment agencies to determine if a service gap existed.
In 2006, all addiction treatment agencies (n = 124) in Ontario, Canada were invited to complete an on-line survey. The provincial database provided admissions data for
2006–2008. Amongst participants (n = 100), 53% reported an increase in clients with MA problems between 2004 and 2005. Nine percent considered MA to be a significant
problem and 60% indicated that MA was a minor problem or not a problem in 2005. Forty-seven percent of participants said that
MA problems were more common among males and 60% of MA clients were aged 16–24. Most (89%) agencies integrated MA clients
into regular programs and 73% had not considered developing specialized MA programs. MA admissions peaked at 2.4% of admissions
in 2005 and dropped to a lower, stable percent (2006–2008). Media and public alarm about a MA ‘epidemic’ is not consistent
with admissions data or agency experience. Consideration of objective evidence before demands for additional resources is
necessary.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s11469-011-9362-1
- Authors
- Bruna Brands, Office of Research and Surveillance, Controlled Substances and Tobacco Directorate, Health Canada, 123 Slater Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Larry Corea, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Carol Strike, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Veeran-Anne S. Singh, Office of Research and Surveillance, Controlled Substances and Tobacco Directorate, Health Canada, 123 Slater Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9, Canada
- Renée C. Behrooz, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Brian Rush, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Journal International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
- Online ISSN 1557-1882
- Print ISSN 1557-1874