A Pluddemann1, S Dada, C Parry. 1. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa. apluddem@mrc.ac.za
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this report is to describe the changing trends in adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine in Cape Town, and to discuss possible implications. METHOD: Data were collected on admissions for drug abuse treatment through a regular monitoring system involving drug treatment centres and programmes in Cape Town, every 6 months as part of the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU). A one-page form was completed by treatment centre personnel for each patient to collect demographic and substance abuse data. RESULTS: The results indicate that between 2004 and 2006, a significant increase in the proportion of adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine abuse occurred, while a significant decrease occurred between 2006 and 2011. CONCLUSIONS: The initial increase in adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine abuse from 2004 to 2006, and subsequent decrease between 2006 and 2011, may suggest a change in methamphetamine abuse patterns among adolescents in Cape Town.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this report is to describe the changing trends in adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine in Cape Town, and to discuss possible implications. METHOD: Data were collected on admissions for drug abuse treatment through a regular monitoring system involving drug treatment centres and programmes in Cape Town, every 6 months as part of the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU). A one-page form was completed by treatment centre personnel for each patient to collect demographic and substance abuse data. RESULTS: The results indicate that between 2004 and 2006, a significant increase in the proportion of adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine abuse occurred, while a significant decrease occurred between 2006 and 2011. CONCLUSIONS: The initial increase in adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine abuse from 2004 to 2006, and subsequent decrease between 2006 and 2011, may suggest a change in methamphetamine abuse patterns among adolescents in Cape Town.
Authors: Stephen M Kimani; Melissa H Watt; M Giovanna Merli; Donald Skinner; Bronwyn Myers; Desiree Pieterse; Jessica C MacFarlane; Christina S Meade Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2014-08-02 Impact factor: 4.492