July December Joseph Spillane, Pharm.D., ABAT Madeline Camejo, MS, Pharm.D.

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1 July December 1998 Joseph Spillane, Pharm.D., ABAT Madeline Camejo, MS, Pharm.D. 11% Illicit drug users within the last year 89% Remaining Broward population > 12 years of age Approximately 130,000 people in Broward have used some illicit substance within the last year. This represents 11.2% of the population 12yrs old or older. There s been a marked increase in illicit drug use among Broward arrestees. Cocaine abuse has shown a mixed picture. While it is still being abused at a high rate, many indicators reveal decreasing or stabilizing trends. Heroin indicators show a continued increase, and marijuana is becoming a bigger problem especially among Broward s teenagers. Gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has become a popular drug of abuse in Broward. These findings are explained in greater detailed in the full report Drug Use in Broward County, July-December The Broward County Commission On Substance Abuse South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Florida Department of Community Affairs Broward General Medical Center Nova Southeastern University

2 Florida State Prison Drug Related Admissions Per 100,000 Residents Broward led the state and more than doubled the state average in drug related admissions to the Florida State Prison System in Dade Palm Beach Broward Florida Inmates Testing Positive For Illicit Drugs At Time of Booking % 65% 68% 63% 61% 63% 65% Broward Male National Avg Male Broward female National Avg Female Between , Broward experienced the largest increase in the nation in arrestees testing positive for some illegal drug ( increase males, 13% increase females). In fact, Broward went from below the national average in 1993 to above the national average in 1997, in both male and female arrestees testing positive. During this same time, Broward also saw the percent of inmates who said they had a history of drug abuse increase from 61% in 1993 to 78% in

3 During the six -month period, July- December 1998, 54.2 % of all tox screens done at Broward General Medical Center were positive for some abuseable substance. BGMC Toxicology Screens July-Dec Positive 54% Negative 46% BGMC Emergency Department/ Hospital Data Positive Tox Screens For July-December 31, Total Screens (28.7%) (17.1%) Cocaine Marijuana Heroin/Opioid (5.6%) Nearly one third of all Broward General Medical Center patients who had a tox screen performed, tested positive for cocaine, and nearly one fifth tested positive for marijuana. The most common diagnosis for these patients was psychiatric in nature (depression, schizophrenia, psychosis, dual diagnosis, etc). 3

4 Cocaine abuse continues at a very high level in Broward County, throughout the state, and the nation. However, indicators of trends in cocaine abuse present a mixed picture of decreasing deaths, decreasing Broward County Cocaine Related Deaths numbers of patients in treatment, stabilizing prices/purity, and aging addicts. On the other hand, the CDC s Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicates increases in lifetime use, current use, and cocaine use 120 before age 13yrs among Broward 100 youth. As pictured here, cocaine-related deaths in Broward County decreased 17% from The percentage of those seeking addiction treatment and saying cocaine was their drug of choice, decreased over this 18-month period. Blacks remain overrepresented in the cocaine treatment profile, and the age of addicts seeking treatment is increasing. Data on those in treatment demonstrate that while smoking crack is still the preferred route of administration, inhalation or snorting is beginning to increase. Cocaine Treatment Profile 53% 52% 53% 43% 44% 42% 34% 28% 23% 3% 3% 4% n=1764 July-Dec 97 n=1269 n=1067 All White Black Hispanic/Other 4

5 Most indicators of heroin abuse are on the rise in Broward, throughout the state, and the nation. Heroin induced deaths are up, and South Florida heroin purity has increased from less than 5% in 1990 to between 30- in Heroin Induced Deaths FDLE Medical Examiners Commission 1997 Annual Report Broward Miami State of Florida Broward heroin-induced deaths have increased 111% from 1995 to The Broward heroin addiction treatment population has remained stable at 5-7% of all those seeking treatment. Whites are overrepresented, and the age of the typical addict seeking heroin treatment in Broward has increased Broward Heroin Addiction Treatment Profile (SISAR data) 6% 7% 5% 83% 87% 83% 12% 9% 5% 2% All White Black Hispanic/Other n=319 July-Dec 97 n=321 n=212 7% 5

6 Broward Heroin Addiction Treatment by Age (SISAR data) 55% 57% 59% 32% 29% 28% n=319 Jun-Dec 97 n=321 1% 1% 1% 12% 13% 11% < yr 26-34yr > 34yr n=212 The Broward heroin addiction treatment population has also gotten older. Broward Heroin Addiction Treatment (SISAR data) % 74% 82% n=319 7 July-Dec 97 n=321 n=212 18% 23% 13% Injection Inhalation It also appears that more heroin addicts are injecting and less inhaling over this 18 month period. 6

7 Broward Marijuana Addiction Treatment (SISAR) 7 61% 63% 57% 34% 37% n=618 Jul -Dec 97 n=550 n=803 12% 12% 17% 5% 7% 5% All Whites Blacks Hispanic The percentage of all people seeking treatment and claiming marijuana as their primary drug of abuse has increased from 12 to 17% over this 18 month period, and the treatment profile displays an overrepresentation of blacks although not as pronounced as with cocaine. In addition, contrary to the typical Broward cocaine and heroin addiction treatment patient, the typical Broward marijuana treatment patient has gotten progressively younger. By Jan- Jun 1998, over one half of all those in treatment for marijuana abuse was less than 18 years old. At the same time the CDC s Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed increases in lifetime marijuana use, current marijuana use, and use before age 13yrs among Broward teenagers. Broward Marijuana Addiction Treatment by Age (SISAR) 31% 32% 51% 35% 32% 29% 17% 12% 17% 16% n=618 Jul-Dec 97 n=550 n=803 < yr 26-34yr > 34yr 7

8 Broward County appears to have a major problem with gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB). This fairly new club drug has been involved with at least 20 overdoses treated at BGMC and was involved in 4 deaths in 1996 and More recently, there have been several overdoses with the precursor to GHB, gamma butyrolactone (GBL) which is converted to GHB when ingested. GHB Deaths Broward County 15% * As reported to DEA The remainder of the USA 85% 8