KING COUNTY, WA - This afternoon, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, issued a report on drug-related emergency department visits. The report found that seven metropolitan areas, including the greater Seattle metropolitan area (King County and parts of Snohomish and Pierce Counties), had increases in drug-related emergency department visits from 1999 to 2000.

Public Health - Seattle & King County stated that this report underscores the need to both continue and reinforce the prevention and treatment of drug use.

"There's no such thing as a recreational drug. Drugs can cause long-term physical and emotional damage, and as this report points out, drug use has the potential to be deadly," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "The most effective way to deal with this very serious health problem is to prevent people, especially youth, from getting involved with drugs."

In the greater Seattle metropolitan area from 1999 to 2000:

• there was a 32% increase in drug-related emergency department visits
• cocaine mentions during drug-related emergency department visits increased by 32%
• marijuana mentions during drug-related emergency department visits increased by 75%
• methamphetamine or speed mentions during drug-related emergency department visits increased by 53%

To view the complete SAMHSA report and news release, visit www.samhsa.gov/news/click3_frame.html

SAMHSA conducts this survey annually through the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). The survey of hospitals with emergency departments is designed to capture data on emergency episodes that are induced by or related to the use of illegal drugs or the nonmedical use of a legal drug. According to SAMHSA, the data do not measure prevalence of drug use in the population.

Local numbers and responses

• In December 2000, Public Health issued its latest Drug Trends Report. Visit www.metrokc.gov/health/subabuse
  
  
• In April 2001, Public Health found a small decline in drug use among adolescents in King County, as reported in a new Washington State survey. Visit www.metrokc.gov/health/news/01042401.htm
  
  
• Last month, Public Health in collaboration with local government and community organizations launched an educational effort focused on the dangers of club drugs. As part of this effort, further assessment is being conducted to understand the problems associated with club drugs. Visit www.metrokc.gov/health/news/01061101.htm
  
  
• For more information on local prevention efforts, please visit Public Health's Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention Program at www.metrokc.gov/health/atodp