The data further suggest that in these and other Western and Southwestern areas, methamphetamine use is overtaking heroin and cocaine use among people entering drug treatment programs. Hispanic migrant workers in the Southwest, Asian laborers in Hawaii, suburban teens, college students, and men who have sex with men are among the populations in which use is increasing. Reasons for using methamphetamine vary widely. Workers and college students may use methamphetamine to work long hours or perform repetitive tasks. Young women report using the drug for appetite suppression and weight loss.
Many suburban youth consider the drug less dangerous and more socially acceptable than cocaine.
As more studies are conducted, additional reasons for using methamphetamines will surface, as well as potential strategies for prevention. Monitoring the Future Study , 1975-1997. Rev. December 1997. Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President. Preliminary Estimates from the 1995 National Survey on Drug Abuse .