The state of Methamphetamine ('tik') use among Youth in the Western Cape; South Africa

Background. Methamphetamine use among youth in the Western Cape Province of South Africa has increased at alarming rates over the past decade. Although current estimates of youth use exist; they range from 2 - 12%. Objectives. To identify (i) the prevalence of methamphetamine use in Western Cape youth and (ii) the association between use and known risk factors for methamphetamine use. Methods. Data were obtained from 10 000 Western Cape Province Grade 8 learners in 54 secondary schools (mean age 14.0 years). Prevalence was descriptively reported while risk factors for past-month use were modelled in a hierarchical logistic regression with demographic; socioeconomic status; substance use; sexual activity and relationship predictors. Results. Approximately 5% (n=496) of learners had used methamphetamine within their lifetime. Of these users; 65% (n=322) had used in the past month or week. Compared to never users; past-month users were more likely to be male; less likely to have a present or partially present mother; less likely to live in an apartment/flat/brick house; more likely to have used alcohol and tobacco and more likely to report having a same-sex partner. Conclusion. Results replicate previously known methamphetamine risk factors and highlight the need to address methamphetamine use in comprehensive prevention initiatives

A retrospective review of trends and clinical characteristics of methamphetamine-related acute psychiatric admissions in a South African context

Abstract Objective: Epidemiological studies indicate that methamphetamine (MA) abuse poses a major challenge to health in the Western Cape. The objectives of this study were to retrospectively assess the trends, clinical characteristics and treatment demand of MArelated admissions to a psychiatric ward in this region. Method: The clinical records of patients admitted to an acute psychiatric admission ward at Tygerberg Hospital from 1 January 2002 to 30 June 2002 and 1 January 2006 to 30 June 2006, were retrospectively reviewed. Admission numbers including those of adolescent and adult substance users were compared for both study periods. Study samples comparing demographic profile, admission status, length of stay, psychopathology, treatment requirements and referral pattern to other disciplines between MA users and non-users were collected for the 2006 period. Results: There was a significant (p <0.01) increase in adolescent substance user admissions between the study periods. A significant (p <0.01) increase in adolescent and adult MA user admissions was also noted. MA users were significantly (p = 0.04) younger than non-MA users, whilst the former presented mainly with psychotic features associated with aggression, requiring involuntary admission of an average of 8 weeks. MA users required significantly (p = 0.007) more benzodiazepines compared to non-MA users. Conclusion: Although MA use is relatively recent to the Western Cape, its adverse psychiatric effects and consequences have become a major challenge. These effects in both adolescent and adult patient populations and the associated impact on psychiatric services demand urgent intervention strategies as well as prospective study

Methamphetamine abuse; psychosis and your patient

Recent findings from the MRC-led South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) Project (which collects data on treatment episodes from substance abuse treatment centres) point to a significant and unprecedented increase in the proportion of clients reporting methamphetamine (MA) as their primary and/or secondary drug of abuse at these specialist substance abuse treatment centres in the Western Cape. For example; the proportion of clients reporting methamphetamine-related problems has increased from 5