63 out of 100 –
December 31, 2019 – When state epidemiologist Amy Curtis became chief administrator of the health department’s Adult Mental Health Division in July, she made a small switch in the clinic’s survey to get a more holistic understanding of methamphetamine’s prevalence by including a new question: Has this patient ever used meth? … Past surveys distributed to clinicians at the state hospital and 16 community mental health centers did not include specific questions about methamphetamine, and meth use tends to be underreported by patients on admission surveys.
The epidemiology department found 63% of patients at the Hawaii State Hospital were identified by clinicians in 2018 as having used meth, compared to the 1% self-reported rate statewide. Methamphetamine has also had a heavy influence on community health centers.
