Decline in adolescent treatment admissions for methamphetamine use 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.
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
South African Medical Association
2013
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0256-95742013000700029 |
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