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In the present article, the authors describe a multi-site, ethno-epidemiological study of methamphetamine use in five cities in the United States of America. They present techniques and strategies used to develop and link short-term, focused qualitative studies. Both local variations and comparable issues germane to methamphetamine use and its public health consequences were examined in the studies. The article contains a description of the methods utilized to identify and access various subgroups of drug users, collect sensitive information on drug use and risky sexual and drug use behaviour and establish links between the study sites. In the study, data collection was tailored to fit the local contexts of methamphetamine use and involved the use of a shared protocol and reporting format. Collaborative participation in developmental meetings and regular communication by Internet facilitated the collection of comparable data. The diverse and socially embedded nature of methamphetamine use indicated: (a) a wide array of user groups and patterns of methamphetamine use; (b) multiple health and social consequences of methamphetamine use;
and (c) the need for ongoing qualitative and quantitative monitoring of trends in methamphetamine use. The approach followed in the study suggests methods for enhancing the collection of information in current surveillance networks.
