American Indian perceptions of methamphetamine and other drug use prevalence and culturally appropriate treatment in a southwestern border town.

New Mexico ranked as one of the top U.S. states for methamphetamine use, yet there are no limited data available on methamphetamine use in American Indian communities. This study, part of CTN-0033-Ot-s (“Methamphetamine Use and Treatment in Native American Communities in the Southwest”) involved a collaboration with an American Indian community to determine perceptions of methamphetamine and other drug use problems, effective prevention and treatment efforts, as well as protective factors in their community.

Findings suggested that there were many misconceptions about methamphetamine in this population, particularly with regard to how methamphetamine is made. Across the questions, community members seemed to be influenced substantially by the media, and the patients seemed to be the most informed (compared to treatment providers) about methamphetamine in general, as well as where it was coming from and signs that someone was using it. American Indian communities would benefit from resources to elucidate current community protective factors for methamphetamine and other drug problems, correcting misinformation, and testing intervention efforts to quell other drug problems.

Related protocols: CTN-0033-Ot-2