The impact of amphetamine-type stimulants on emergency services.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Amphetamine-type stimulants now rank second worldwide in the table of most widely used recreational drugs. Many countries report increased availability and increased purity of the drugs.Surprisingly, while many authors in the last decade have described clinical issues and demographic patterns associated with amphetamine use, there is little published research quantifying the specifics of the impact of 'ICE' use on health resources.It is, therefore, timely to review the available literature on the impact of this group of drugs on emergency medical systems.

RECENT FINDINGS: Recent research has focused on the increase in production and availability of metamphetamines. Clinical findings at acute presentation and long-term sequelae have been studied and in particular, the impact of the drugs on mental health and development of long-term neurological problems. Work has also been done unsuccessfully to develop therapeutic agents for the acute management of patients who present under the influence of amphetamines.

SUMMARY: It is clear that the use of metamphetamine-type substances places an increasing burden on acute health services. There is a need for preventive and harm-minimization strategies.