Examining correlates of methamphetamine and other drug use in pregnant American Indian adolescents

Abstract

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adolescents have high rates of pregnancy, as well as alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and, increasingly, methamphetamine (meth) use. The progression of adolescent drug use to meth use could have devastating impacts on AI communities, particularly when youth are simultaneously at risk for teen childbearing. In order to inform future prevention efforts, this study explores correlates of meth use in a sample of pregnant AI teens, with a focus on sociodemographic, familial, and cultural factors and use of other drugs.