Prevalence of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS) use among clients in primary and private Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) program in Kuantan, Malaysia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) is becoming prevalent among clients in Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) program. This study aims to determine the prevalence of, and reasons for, ATS use among clients enrolled in MMT programs in Kuantan, Malaysia. Method: A total of 237 regular methadone users with current ATS use history were recruited from two MMT settings (primary and private facilities) for this cross-sectional study. Results: Most of the subjects were male (97%, n = 230/237), majority Malays (96%, n = 228/237). The mean age of respondents was 37.7 years (SD = 8.5), and their mean methadone dose was 52.8mg/daily. Our results showed that ATS was commonly used for increasing energy, heighten euphoria, reduce methadone dependence and its side-effects, overcome psychological problems, and as a sex stimulant. The commonly used ATS over the last 30 days during treatment were amphetamine (79%, n = 188/237), methamphetamine (64%, n = 151/237), and opiate (37%, n = 88/237). Results from Chi-square analysis showed clients in private MMT program have higher odds of using opiates (OR: 4.1: 2.37–7.27; p < .0001), and methamphetamine (OR: 1.10: 1.15–3.44; p < .013) in the last 30 days than clients in the primary MMT program. Conclusion: Our findings indicate the high prevalence of ATS use among MMT clients.