Recorded presentation

D. William Wood, PhD, Department of Sociology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2424 Maile Way, Room 247, Honolulu, HI 96822-2223, 808-956-7117, dwwood@hawaii.edu

Presentation for proposed Session 91985

That Hawaii is in the midst of an “ice” epidemic is without question. The data supporting that statement date back 12 years at this point in time and show a geometric rise in treatment admissions with methamphetamine as the primary drug, a constant increase in the number and proportion of deaths where methamphetamine was found through toxicological screening, steady yet increasing data showing that methamphetamine possession and trafficking are on the increase across the entire state, rates of arrestees screened through urine testing show about 40% of those arrested testing positive for methamphetamine. At the same time, we see that the rates of “ever-used” and “current use” are declining in the state’s school surveys. In the Pacific, particularly the “American Pacific” the epidemic is just beginning and information on the current status of use of the drug will be provided.

This presentation will bring together the multiple sources of data on the “ice epidemic” and, together with anecdotal reports, try to generate a better understanding of the who, what, where, and when of the epidemic. The beginning “ice” problem in the Pacific will also be defined using similar sources of information.

Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of this presentation attendees will be able to

• Describe the nature and extent of methamphetamone use and abuse in Hawaii and areas of the Pacific;
• Understand the consequences of "ice" use and abuse in these settings;
• Understand some of the dynamics of the spread of the use of the drug, the route of administration, and the current state of social action regarding the drug.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Drug Addiction

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation