Adelaide researchers have made a world-first link between methamphetamine and Parkinson's disease, as the state government begins highlighting the health impacts on pizza boxes.
University of South Australia Associate Professor Gabrielle Todd said her study was the first to "demonstrate the link in humans", after it was discovered in animals decades ago.
She said consuming methamphetamine "as little as five times" could have "lasting effects on brain regions that control movement".
"Methamphetamine is a drug that damages particular neurons in the brain, and these neurons are the same set of neurons that are damaged by Parkinson's disease," she said.
"Methamphetamine is actually so good at damaging these neurons that scientists used to use that drug as an animal model for Parkinson's.
"There's a very clear scientific link between the effects of the drug on those neurons and there's also a lot of other clinical and epidemiological data to support that link as well."
She said meth use also impacted the health of the heart and kidneys, as well as an increased risk of stroke.
Health Minister Chris Picton said it was concerning many methamphetamine users were unaware of the long-term impacts the drug would have on their health.
"The surveys show 47 per cent of people aren't aware that using ice has long-term health impacts," he said.
"Ice and methamphetamine use across the state is a huge issue and we know the impact it is having on communities and families."
On Monday, the state government will roll out a new campaign — "Don't Let Meth Take Hold" — in light of the evidence linking the drug to Parkinson's disease.
In an Australian first, 20,000 ads will be printed on pizza boxes, warning of the long-lasting effects of drugs, as well as traditional media advertising.
"The best thing that we can do is try to stop people using meth in the first place and this ad campaign is a big part of doing that," Mr Picton said.
The Hospital Research group will put $100,000 into the advertising campaign, as it works to diagnose more Parkinson's patients.
Executive director Olivia Nassaris said that there could be an increase of drug-related diagnoses of Parkinson's disease.
"We don't want to see an increase in drug induced Parkinson's, but there will be in the future and we will have to manage that," she said.
"The most important thing about this campaign is that is comes from actual data and research.
"I think it's absolutely devastating that people don't know what they're doing when they're using methamphetamine and the long-term outcomes."
