Life with jib: A snapshot of street youth's use of crystal methamphetamine

Abstract

Crystal methamphetamine (CM) is a psychoactive form of methamphetamine whose effects include euphoria, alertness, restlessness, feelings of endless energy, sleep deprivation, depression, paranoia, acute psychosis, and malnutrition. CM use among street-involved youth is high, yet little is known about their patterns of use, the side effects they experience, and the ways in which they manage their drug use and survive on the streets. We undertook a small qualitative study among inner-city, street-involved youth to explore the social context of their CM use. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve youth. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and four key themes were identified: Patterns of Jib Use, Reasons for Using Jib, Downside of Using, and Managing Jib Use. Each theme revealed interrelationships between drug use and street-involvement. The youth used CM to stay awake to protect belongings, to enhance social interaction, to cope with negative emotions, and as an alternative to psychiatric medications. The negative consequences of CM use included deteriorating physical and mental health, exploitation, isolation, and physical harm. These youth were knowledgeable about their drug use and capable of creatively adapting to many of the related consequences. Social service agencies and health care professionals were not identified as helpful in managing their drug use and its side effects. Although the sample size was small, this data gives insight for policy and program planning aimed at providing treatment and support for street-involved youth using CM.

• Crystal methamphetamine
• amphetamines
• substance use
• youth
• adolescents
• qualitative
• street-involved
• homeless

Notes

Notes

[1] For the purpose of this discussion, street-involved youth refer to youth between the ages of 12 and 25 years of age who may circulate between home and the street; have no connection to home; and/or have inadequate or insecure shelter (Caputo, Weiler, & Anderson, 1997; Peressini & McDonald, 2000). Street-involved youth may or may not have ties with mainstream society and may or may not be involved in activities such as drug use or criminal acts (Higgit, Wingert, & Ristok, 2003). The term street-involved youth is not meant to infer a homogenous population. Instead street-involved youth are recognized as having individual characteristics, histories, skills, and resources.

[2] A run refers to using the drug until there is no more drug available or until the person is no longer physically able to use. This type of drug use is often referred to as binging. The youth did not necessarily use the terms run or binging. We applied this language based on previous research related to patterns of drug use and in an attempt to provide a descriptor for the scenarios that the youth reported.