NCJ Number
224674
Date Published
November 2008
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This study describes the crystal methamphetamine epidemic among the Latino population.
Abstract
The reality of a crystal methamphetamine epidemic among the Latino population in New York is only now coming to the attention of public health authorities because of the link to STD and HIV transmission. As with other drugs, crystal meth greatly increases the risk of sexually transmitted diseases HIV, and hepatitis C through injection drug use. In Los Angeles and San Francisco crystal meth use by Latinos was proportionally equal to their numbers in the HIV infected population. Data were collected from participants from 4 focus groups, 11 key informant interviews, several interviews with providers to the target population, extensive research, and interviews with experts in addiction. The participants provided the following recommendations: engage the Latino media with scientifically-based social marketing strategies; address the Internet usage as an information source; support more programs for the Latino Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) population that create real alternative social venues to the loosely identified perceived image of belonging to the “Chelsea” community; make more support services available to Latinos; fund mental health services for non-Medicaid eligible Latino LGBT persons who are not HIV positive; engage civic, religious, and cultural leaders to create support and reach more diverse populations within the Latino community; increase the number of scientifically tested intervention strategies and recovery programs for Latino crystal meth users; more minority health care providers are needed to serve their communities; prepare for outreach to women and young people; develop public education campaigns focused on Latinos and others who use but are not dependent on crystal methamphetamine; develop campaigns that encourage Latinos to talk about the harmful effects of crystal meth; and sustained prevention is necessary for people who are young, frequently around the drug, and who become weary of “just saying no.” References