Drug Abuse Patterns of Combined Amphetamine-Type Stimulants and Opioid Dependence in Malay Male Subjects in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the socio-demographic characteristics and drug abused patterns of combined amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and opioid dependence in Malay Male subjects in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. Seventy drug dependent subjects who were diagnosed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV), and 87 control subjects who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were interviewed using a questionnaire.The median age (IQR) for drug dependent group was 28.0 (7.68) years old while median age for control group was 24.0 (10.55). The mean (SD) initiation age for ATS was 27.39 (9.79) while the mean (SD) initiation age for opioid was 22.20 (7.19). 57.1% of the drug dependent subjects used injections as their method of opioid ingestion, while 65.7% preferred chase to ingest ATS. Most of the subjects were HIV negative (61.4%). Majority have not sought any treatment regarding their drug usage (71.4%). Most of the drug dependent subjects have been arrested and convicted for drug use (88.6%). However, majority demonstrated no history of arrest or conviction for non-drug related crime (77.1%). This study provides an update on the socio-demographic and drug abuse patterns of combined amphetamine-type stimulants and opioid dependence subjects that may help in combating the alarming increase of the drug abuse.