The rise in treatment admissions for methamphetamine use in Los Angeles County from 2001 through 2005

Drug use trends for people entering county-funded treatment programs from 2001 through 2005 were investigated. The sample was drawn from outpatient counseling, residential treatment, and daycare habilitative programs. Findings center on the rising number of admissions to treatment programs for primary methamphetamine (MA) use, with a focus on participant gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Additional participant characteristics, such as referral source, employment, housing, and health status were also briefly explored. This investigation found that the percentage of admissions to treatment programs for primary MA use has substantially increased in Los Angeles County each year from 2001 through 2005. The groups most affected were young people of Asian, Latino, Native American, and White descent. Additionally, it was determined that women were more likely to enter treatment for primary MA use (relative to other drugs) than were males. National implications of these findings, their limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.