National Institute on Drug Abuse Community Epidemiology Work Group: Epidemiology Trends in Drug Abuse Volume I

• NCJ Number: 200750
• Date Published: December 2001
• Length: 76 pages
• Contract Number(s): N01-DA-1-5514
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institutes of Health
• Corporate Author: National Institutes of Health; MasiMax Resources, Inc
• Sale Source: SAMHSA's National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Annual/Periodic)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Downloaded March 24, 2003.

Annotation

This document provides information regarding the nature and patterns of drug abuse, emerging trends, characteristics of at-risk populations, and social and health consequences of drug abuse that were discussed at the 51st meeting of the Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG) that was held in San Diego, CA, on December 11-14, 2001.

Abstract

Drug abuse patterns and trends were discovered through an analysis of city- and State-specific data that were compiled from a variety of drug abuse indicator sources, such as public health agencies, medical and treatment facilities, law enforcement agencies, and surveys. The information provided in this report presents data by drug type, although it is important to understand that multiple drug abuse is a common problem but not easily ascertained from data sources. Separate chapters present information about cocaine/crack, heroin, other opiates, marijuana, methamphetamine, ecstasy (MDMA), GHB, PCP, LSD, DXM, and infectious diseases related to drug use, such as HIV and AIDS and hepatitis B and C. The data include similarities and differences in drug abuse patterns across of CEWG areas, and are based primarily on comparisons of 1999 and 2000 data sources. Highlights of the report include a decrease in the use of cocaine/crack in the 10 CEWG areas, an increase in heroin use in 15 of the 21 CEWG areas, an increase in other opiates use in 14 CEWG areas, and an increase in marijuana use in 12 CEWG areas. The club drug ecstasy experienced an increase in use in 19 CEWG areas but remained stable at low levels in New Orleans and Newark. Although indicators revealed that PCP is not in wide use, there is some evidence to suggest its use is increasing in some CEWG areas, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Washington, DC. Appendices include information about the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), the Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) program, the Domestic Monitor Program (DMP), and information about the total admissions by primary substance abuse and CEWG area.