Health Promot J Austr. 2025 Oct;36(4):e70096. doi: 10.1002/hpja.70096.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Crystal methamphetamine use is a global health concern and highly stigmatised. Amid increased international focus on drug use as a health concern, the current study aimed to examine knowledge and attitudes around crystal methamphetamine among key groups in a contemporary Australian community sample.
METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in February-April 2022 (n = 736), open to all Australian residents aged 18 years and over. Knowledge and attitudes were assessed among people who use crystal methamphetamine, family/friends, health workers, and the general community. Data was combined with a previous 2019 survey (n = 2108) and linear regression examined factors associated with knowledge and attitudes.
RESULTS: Stigmatising attitudes were common among people who had not used crystal methamphetamine, and they were more likely to endorse negative statements than those who had. Family/friends and community members, females, and respondents from regional areas had the highest stigma scores. Of those who used crystal methamphetamine, 70.9% reported experiencing discrimination. Higher knowledge scores (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with less stigmatising attitudes as was being surveyed in 2022 compared to 2019. Health workers demonstrated the highest knowledge scores.
CONCLUSIONS: Stigmatising attitudes towards crystal methamphetamine remain prevalent, and experiences of discrimination towards people who use it are common. Evidence-based education and initiatives to reduce both public and self-stigma associated with crystal methamphetamine are needed. SO WHAT?: Stigma towards people who use methamphetamine remains common in Australia. This study highlights the need for targeted, evidence-based stigma reduction strategies to encourage help-seeking and improve health outcomes for people who use methamphetamine.
PMID:40891060 | DOI:10.1002/hpja.70096
