An estimated 527,058 drug-related emergency department episodes involving 943,937 drug mentions occurred during the year. Fifty-four percent of the episodes involved more than one drug. Alcohol-in-combination was the most frequently mentioned drug nationwide with 171,982 mentions, followed by cocaine (161,087 mentions), heroin/morphine (72,010 mentions), and marijuana/hashish (67,744 mentions). The total number of drug abuse episodes did not change from 1996 to 1997 overall or by gender or race/ethnicity of the individual. Increases in mentions occurred from 1996 to 1997 for methamphetamine/speed and marijuana/hashish. Fifty-one percent of the episodes involved males; 48 percent involved females. Twelve percent of the episodes involved persons ages 6-17 years, 20 percent involved persons ages 18-25 years, 26 percent involved persons ages 26-34 years, and 42 percent involved persons ages 35 and older. Suicide was the motive for drug use in 36 percent of the episodes; drug dependence was the motive in 34 percent of the episodes. Tables and appended methodological information, glossary, reporting form, and additional findings