Crystal Clear? The Relationship between Methamphetamine Use and Sexually Transmitted Infections

40 Pages Posted: 2 Jul 2012 Last revised: 26 Sep 2014

See all articles by Hugo M. Mialon

Hugo M. Mialon

Emory University - Department of Economics

Erik Nesson

Ball State University - Department of Economics

Michael Samuel

California Department of Public Health - STD Control Branch

Date Written: September 1, 2014

Abstract

Public health officials have cited methamphetamine control as a tool with which to decrease HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, based on previous research that finds a strong positive correlation between methamphetamine use and risky sexual behavior. However, the observed correlation may not be causal, as both methamphetamine use and risky sexual behavior could be driven by a third factor, such as a preference for risky behavior. We estimate the effect of methamphetamine use on risky sexual behavior using monthly data on syphilis diagnoses in California and quarterly data on syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia diagnoses across all states. To circumvent possible endogeneity, we use a large exogenous supply shock in the U.S. methamphetamine market that occurred in May 1995 and a later shock stemming from the Methamphetamine Control Act, which went into effect in October 1997. While the supply shocks had large negative effects on methamphetamine use, we find no evidence that they decreased syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia rates. Our results have broad implications for public policies designed to decrease sexually transmitted infection rates.

Keywords: Supply Shock, Ephedrine, Methamphetamine, Syphilis, Risky Sexual Behavior, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Sexually Transmitted Infections, STD, STI

JEL Classification: K36, I18, J12

Suggested Citation

Mialon, Hugo M. and Nesson, Erik and Samuel, Michael, Crystal Clear? The Relationship between Methamphetamine Use and Sexually Transmitted Infections (September 1, 2014). Emory Legal Studies Research Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2097888 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2097888

Hugo M. Mialon (Contact Author)

Emory University - Department of Economics ( email )

1602 Fishburne Drive
Atlanta, GA 30322
United States

Erik Nesson

Ball State University - Department of Economics ( email )

Muncie, IN 47306-0340
United States

Michael Samuel

California Department of Public Health - STD Control Branch ( email )

850 Marina Bay Parkway
Building P, 2nd floor
Richmond, CA 94804-6403
United States

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