NCJ Number
188583
Date Published
2000
Length
38 pages
Annotation
This report systematically evaluates research and practice evidence on methamphetamine abuse prevention and offers recommendations for the field.
Abstract
The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) through its Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) is committed to assisting States and communities as they endeavor to address the public health problem of methamphetamine use. CSAP has not only funded an exploratory research study of methamphetamine use among several populations, but also recognizes the need to offer communication strategy guidelines that are helpful yet avoid overstating the problem or unintentionally educating people about using or experiencing the drug. This guide explains the findings of the exploratory research study and outlines ways to translate this information into communication strategies. One section of this report imparts what CSAP had learned about the methamphetamine problem in general. The emphasis is on individual and community risks, the advent of clandestine labs, and anecdotal evidence. Another section describes results of the qualitative research on three specific populations of methamphetamine users (truck drivers, Mexican American/Mexican workers, and men who have sex with men) in terms of elements key to communication planning. A section suggests communication strategies for each population, followed by a section that offers recommendations regarding how to design a targeted methamphetamine prevention communication program. 39 annotated resources and appended study instruments