Methamphetamine (MA), the most common amphetamine-type stimulant used globally, is associated with a host of neuropsychiatric illnesses (e.g. psychosis (Cruickshank and Dyer, 2009, Grelotti et al., 2010), depression, and cognitive impairment (Scott et al., 2007, Cruickshank and Dyer, 2009)) and chronic physical conditions (e.g. cardiovascular disease (Kaye et al., 2007) and HIV infection (Montoya et al., 2013, Parsons et al., 2013)). Beginning in 2003, the Thai government enacted a national drug policy whose primary objective was to reduce the demand and supply of illicit drugs, especially MA (commonly known as speed or “yaba”). This policy included a drug user rehabilitation law, which required all identified illicit drug users to participate in a drug treatment program (Vongchak et al., 2005). Despite this policy, continued upward trends in illicit use were noted in 2008, with more than 80% of illicit-substance using Thais identifying MA as their primary drug of use (UNODC, 2011). Such trends were also associated with changing patterns of MA use, including a shift from primarily male laborers (who used the drug to work longer hours) to individuals doing so
