Abstract
Links between crystalline methamphetamine (CM) use and criminal offending are often drawn in the media; however, there has been little scientific research into this relationship. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence and correlates of lifetime CM use among a sample of young people in detention in Australia and to examine whether an association exists between lifetime CM use and recidivism in this population.The sample included 202 young people (164 males) in youth detention in the state of Victoria, Australia. Participants were administered questionnaires related to lifetime substance use and socio-environmental experiences. Lifetime mental health data and offending data were obtained for each participant from public mental health and policing databases. More than one third (38%) of the sample reported lifetime CM use. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, older age, male gender, polysubstance use, and high levels of community disorganisation were associated with CM use. The presence of a psychiatric diagnosis over the lifetime was not significantly associated with CM use. CM use was also not significantly associated with violent recidivism. Efforts to address CM use and related harm in detained youth should include community-based strategies to reduce CM use among this vulnerable population following their release from detention. However, the findings suggest that CM use on its own is unlikely to be an important consideration for professionals concerned with determining which young people should be selected for treatment designed to reduce the risk of violent recidivism.
Highlights
Crystalline methamphetamine (CM; known as ‘crystal meth’ or ‘ice’) is a stimulant commonly smoked or injected as a recreational drug [1,2]
This study aimed to address this substantial gap in knowledge by Crystal methamphetamine use prior to youth detention seeking to identify 1) the lifetime prevalence of CM use, 2) the correlates of CM use, and 3) the association between CM use and future violent criminal offending, among a sample of young people in detention
Our study provides further evidence that rates of lifetime substance use are substantially higher among young people in detention than in the general population [26,27]
Summary
Crystalline methamphetamine (CM; known as ‘crystal meth’ or ‘ice’) is a stimulant commonly smoked or injected as a recreational drug [1,2]. As with other forms of methamphetamine use, CM use normally results in feelings of euphoria and reduced inhibitions[2]. It is more potent, addictive, and faster acting than other forms of methamphetamine [1]. The 2016 Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey reported that the highest proportion of people using CM were in the adolescent and young adult age categories [3]. Less information is available about the prevalence of lifetime CM use estimates of up to 4.0% have been reported for young people aged 15 to 29 years in Australia [10]. CM users are more likely to use on a regular basis compared with users of other forms of methamphetamine [3]
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