NCJ Number
153719
Date Published
1995
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This report tracks annual changes in illicit drug use indicators in Delaware from different perspectives, including drug-related deaths, positive illicit drug screens in the emergency room, and self-reported monthly drug use by 11th graders.
Abstract
Positive illicit drug screens at the Medical Center of Delaware's Emergency Department increased by 27 percent in 1993, the fourth consecutive year of increase since 1989. Drug arrests and the number of cases requiring medical examiner identification of illicit drugs decreased by about 6 percent for a second straight year. During the same period, however, the number of drug offenders sentenced to jail and prison increased to record levels. In 1993, 729 drug offenders were incarcerated, and many were repeat offenders or probation violators. Crack and crack cocaine remained the highest volume illicit drugs. Cocaine mentions in the emergency room rose by 20 percent, although the number of cocaine and crack cases handled by the medical examiner decreased by 20 percent. As evidenced by emergency room positive screens and medical examiner results, heroin and PCP use continued to increase in 1993, although not as significantly as in previous years. The most significant increases in emergency room positive PCP screens were in combination with cocaine or marijuana. Marijuana use in Delaware made a comeback in 1993. The medical examiner saw a 28 percent increase in marijuana cases and emergency room mentions increased by 73 percent. Emergency room mentions also showed a 38 percent increase in polydrug use involving marijuana. Marijuana appeared to be gaining favor among Delaware's youth; 11th graders who reported using marijuana at least monthly increased from 12 to 18 percent. While juvenile arrests for cocaine and opiates fell by 29 percent from 1992 to 1993, juvenile arrests for marijuana rose by 123 percent.