SANDAG report finds link between meth use and mental illness among arrestees

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – Adult arrestees who reported ever trying meth were significantly more likely to have received a mental health diagnosis, according to a new report released by the SANDAG Criminal Justice Research Division.

Findings revealed that 36% of adult arrestees who reported having tried meth also had suicidal thoughts, compared with 20% who had never tried meth.

The study also showed that there were more women arrestees in the meth-mental health group. And when it came to children, the arrestees in the group were just as likely to have kids as those who did not fall into that group. However the people with meth and mental health issues were less likely to live with their children.