NCJ Number
164367
Date Published
1993
Length
49 pages
Annotation
This report presents final national estimates of drug-related emergency episodes for 1988 through 1992, based on information from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), an ongoing national survey of hospital emergency rooms.
Abstract
The data reveal that cocaine-related emergencies have continued an upward trend begun after 1990. Cocaine mentions rose by 26 percent between 1990 and 1991 and by 18 percent, from an estimated 101,200 to 119,800, between 1991 and 1992. Heroin-related emergencies also increased each year between 1990 and 1992. The increases occurred in nine of the 21 metropolitan areas studied. In 1992, the main reasons given for the heroin-related emergency room contact were chronic effects and overdose. The number cited seeking detoxification increased from 6,600 in 1990 to 9,200 in 1992. The most common motive given for both cocaine and heroin use was dependence. Figures and appended methodological information and tables