Crystal methamphetamine use with Dr. David Castle

“It’s highly prevalent, highly available, highly pure and highly destructive.”

In this episode of Quick Takes, Dr. David Gratzer speaks with Dr. David Castle, Director of the CAMH Centre for Complex Interventions, about the upwards trend in crystal methamphetamine use, its impact on health care visits and the risk of violence, the medication and psychological interventions available, and, yes, the Australian experience (no mention of digeridoos, however).

You’ll learn a lot in this 28-minute episode, including:
• why there's been that sharp rise in use here in Canada
• its impact on emergency departments and on staff physical and mental health
• steps to take when dealing with an agitated patient
• medications that work in different scenarios
• and the evidence for psychological and psychosocial interventions.

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Quick Takes is a production of the Center for Addiction and Mental Health. You can find links to the relevant content mentioned in the show and accessible transcripts of all the episodes we produce online at CAMH.ca.

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