Press Release |
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EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE:
CONTACT: Jennifer de Vallance (202) 395-6618
Wednesday, July 25, 2001
DAWN SURVEY DEMONSTRATES CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE
(Washington, DC)—Edward H. Jurith, Acting Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), cited the release of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration's (SAMHSA) 2000 Emergency Department Data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) as a key indicator of the impact of drug abuse. 466 hospitals nationwide participated in the survey, which collects data on emergency department visits induced by or related to drug use.
"The 2000 DAWN report shows the undeniable health consequences of substance abuse. Drugs often touted as harmless, such as marijuana and Ecstasy, are obviously dangerous and addictive, and the numbers prove it," Jurith said. "Each year Americans pick up a $143 billion tab for costs associated with drug abuse, including health care. The data clearly illustrate the need for strong prevention and treatment initiatives in order to save American resources and lives. It's now up to Congress to pass the President's budget, which invests more than $5.8 billion in prevention, treatment, and research in these crucial areas."
Within the 21 metropolitan areas covered by DAWN, cocaine remained the most frequently mentioned drug in emergency room visits from 1999 to 2000, followed by heroin/morphine and marijuana. But while cocaine and marijuana incidents were statistically unchanged, heroin/morphine mentions registered a 15 percent increase. "The rise in heroin emergency episodes is cause for concern, as this devastating drug continues to become an increasingly prevalent threat in our communities, even rivaling cocaine," Jurith concluded.
The DAWN report also indicated an increase in Ecstasy mentions, particularly among youth. Overall Ecstasy-related visits, however, still comprise less than one percent of the total number of drug-related emergency episodes reported in the study.
The DAWN report is available at www.samhsa.gov
