Chapter I.
Changing Patterns of Drug Use in America
F. Drug-Related Medical Emergencies Remain Near Historic Highs
SAMHSA's Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), which studies drug-related hospital emergencies, provides a snapshot of the health consequences of America's drug problem. DAWN reported that drug-related episodes increased by 25 percent between the first half of 1992 and the first half of 1997, from 214,600 to 269,000. There was a seven- percent increase between the first half of 1996 and the first half of 1997.
During this same time, the number of total drug episodes increased among those aged 18-25 (11%) and 35 and over (10%). The most frequently recorded reason for a drug-related emergency room visit in the first half of 1997 was overdose, which comprised 49 percent of all episodes. Cocaine-related emergency room episodes remained about the same in 1995 (137,979) and 1996 (144,180). The increasing incidence of cocaine emergencies among persons aged thirty-five and older continued through 1996, rising 184 percent from the 1990 level. Heroin-related episodes declined slightly between 1995 and 1996 from 72,229 to 70,463, yet were 108 percent higher than in 1990. Although the change between 1995 and 1996 is not statistically significant, the decline is the first since 1990.
Cocaine and Heroin episodes -- generally, the longterm consequences of chronic drug use -- create serious problems for hospital emergency departments
