This exploratory/developmental grant proposal will test the ability of an epidemiological tool to survey active drug users about their patterns of use and the drug markets in the Austin, Texas metropolitan area. This tool will help explain the relationship between the supply of a drug and the demand of the users. Because of the changes in the drug market as imported Ice, which is smoked, replaces the locally-produced powder which is inhaled or injected, methamphetamine was chosen to test this proposed tool.
The aims and primary research questions to be investigated are (1) To understand the demand for methamphetamine based on use of the different forms of the drug;(2) To understand how the differences and changes in the drug market and supply of drugs influences the behavior of users as the supply shifts between locally-produced and imported powder and """"""""Ice"""""""";(3) To define socio-economic typologies that differentiate users according to the type of drugs used, reasons for use, sources of their drugs, and characteristics of the users who frequent different markets. The findings from the study will help us understand how trends in drug use are influenced by changes in the drug market and how supply affects the demand for drugs. It will provide information about the types and forms of the drug that are available, the profiles of those who use the different varieties, the routes of administration, patterns of risky behavior, severity of dependence, the relationship between use of the drug and criminal activity, sources of the drug, the current and emerging drug markets, perceived purity and diluents, and the risks and treatment needs perceived by users, as well as the problems and needs seen by key informants who come into contact with drug users.
This project will report on the patterns of drug use, effects of drug use (such as overdoses, driving after drug use), seeking help for drug problems, relationship and social problems, financial problems, legal and police problems, work or study problems, injecting risk behaviors, sexual risk behaviors, vaccination for HBV, and HCV, HIV, and STD status. It also will provide information on the levels of substance dependence and the extent of treatment need as the more potent forms of Mexican methamphetamine become more available in the Austin area.
| Maxwell, Jane Carlisle (2014) A new survey of methamphetamine users in treatment: who they are, why they like ""meth,"" and why they need additional services. Subst Use Misuse 49:639-44 |
| Cunningham, James K; Maxwell, Jane Carlisle; Campollo, Octavio et al. (2013) Mexico's precursor chemical controls: emergence of less potent types of methamphetamine in the United States. Drug Alcohol Depend 129:125-36 |
| Maxwell, Jane Carlisle; Brecht, Mary-Lynn (2011) Methamphetamine: here we go again? Addict Behav 36:1168-73 |
| Cunningham, James K; Bojorquez, Ietza; Campollo, Octavio et al. (2010) Mexico's methamphetamine precursor chemical interventions: impacts on drug treatment admissions. Addiction 105:1973-83 |
