@article{ref1,
title="Crystal methamphetamine's impact on frontline emergency services in Victoria, Australia",
journal="Australasian emergency care",
year="2019",
author="Jones, Rikki and Usher, Kim and Woods, Cindy",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: The use of crystal methamphetamine is a growing problem in Australia. Methamphetamine users can suffer adverse physical health effects, psychotic symptoms and methamphetamine-related aggressive behaviour. The increasing use and related harms of crystal methamphetamine is presenting serious problems for frontline emergency responders. <br><br>METHODS: A population-based retrospective analysis was undertaken of data collected by Ambulance Victoria describing crystal methamphetaminerelated events attended by ambulance across Victoria over six financial years from 2011/12 to 2016/17. <br><br>RESULTS: Methamphetamine-related events attended by Victoria Ambulance paramedics significantly increased from 2011/12 to 2016/17, particularly in regional Victoria. The most frequent age group requiring ambulance attendance is 25-39 years. The proportion of events requiring police coattendance significantly increased, as did transportation to emergency department/hospital. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The substantial increases in methamphetamine-related events attended by ambulance indicate the need for increased resources and support for paramedics, particularly in regional/rural areas. The large increase among young people aged 15-24 years indicates a need for policy action on prevention, harm reduction and expanded treatment services to reduce health problems and methamphetamine-related harms.<br><br>Copyright © 2019 College of Emergency Nursing Australasia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2589-1375",
doi="10.1016/j.auec.2019.07.004",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.auec.2019.07.004"
}