The most noteworthy trend was the increasing numbers of cocaine abusers admitted to treatment, confirming the increasing incidence and prevalence of cocaine as a drug of abuse. In addition, growing numbers of heroin users are reporting inhalation as their preferred route of administration, probably reflecting their efforts to prevent AIDS by avoiding the use of needles. Moreover, the increase in treatment admissions since 1985 has been accompanied by an increase in the number of those admitted without insurance coverage. Finally, the criminal justice system appears to handle cocaine and heroin offenders differently, with cocaine admissions reporting a higher percentage of arrests (51 percent) than heroin admissions (33 percent). Similarly, cocaine abusers were more likely than heroin abusers to be referred to treatment by the criminal justice system. Data tables and appended tables. (Author abstract modified)