Narcotic Analgesics, 2002 Update
The
DAWN Report: Narcotic Analgesics, 2002 Update (PDF format)
Highlights:
- Narcotic
analgesics are a type of pain reliever derived from natural or synthetic opiates.
Examples of some common brand names include Vicodin®, Percocet®, OxyContin®,
and Darvon®.
- According
to SAMHSA's DAWN data system, drug abuse related emergency department visits involving
narcotic analgesics increased 153% in the nation (from 42,857 visits to 108,320
emergency department visits) between 1995 to 2002. The greatest increases during
this period occurred for oxycodone (512%), methadone (176%), hydrocodone (159%),
and morphine (116%).
- Dependence
was the most frequently mentioned motive underlying drug abuse related emergency
department visits involving narcotic analgesics (47%), followed by suicide (22%),
psychic effects (15%). The drug abuse motive was unknown for 14% of the analgesic
related emergency department visits.
- Disposition
of emergency department patients involving narcotic analgesics was as follows:
53% were admitted for treatment, 44% were treated and released from the hospital,
and 3% either left against medical advice, died, or had an unknown outcome.
Data
on Other Specific Drugs Other
Topics
Other
OAS Publications and Services
This Short
Report, The DAWN Report: Narcotic
Analgesics, 2002 Update (PDF format), is based on the Drug
Abuse Warning Network (DAWN), the primary source of national data
on drug related emergency department visits. DAWN is conducted by
the
Office of Applied Studies (OAS) in the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
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