NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIOLOGIC ...

The 2002 DAWN mortality data show only 54 benzodiazepine
mentions in the Newark PMSA. However,
this represents an increase from 33 mentions in
2001 and 35 mentions in 2000. Benzodiazepines accounted
for approximately 7.8 percent of all ME
death mentions in 2002, up from 4.2 percent in 2001.
Methamphetamine and Amphetamines
In the first half of 2004, only 17 primary amphetamine
treatment admissions, including 4 primary
methamphetamine admissions, were reported in the
Newark PMSA. As a primary drug of abuse, amphetamines
were also rare in the State. There were 87
primary amphetamine admissions in the first half of
2004, including 41 admissions for methamphetamine.
If the measured rate of admissions between January
and June 2004 continued through the rest of the calendar
year, the number of total admissions for primary
amphetamine abuse will increase from the 112
admissions reported in 2003.
To analyze the characteristics of cases presenting for
treatment in New Jersey for a drug in the stimulant
category (including methylenedioxymethamphetamine
[MDMA], methamphetamines, other amphetamines,
and other stimulants), data from calendar year
2003 were used. There were 554 statewide admissions
for stimulants as primary, secondary, or tertiary
drug of abuse in 2003 (exhibit 8). These cases presented
with another primary drug 100 percent of the
time—28 percent of the cases were for the treatment
of a primary “other drug,” followed by 25 percent for
marijuana, 18.6 percent for alcohol, 17.9 percent for
heroin, and 10.4 percent for cocaine. The clients were
more than twice as likely to be male than female
(68.5 vs. 31.5 percent, respectively). Stimulant users
seeking treatment were most likely White (68.2 percent),
although 14.7 percent in 2003 were Black and
10.8 percent reported Hispanic ethnicity. The clients
were young: 14.4 percent were younger than 18 and
32.7 percent were between the ages of 18 and 24.
Approximately 62 percent had prior treatment experiences.
In the Newark PMSA, there were 133 cases of treatment
for stimulants in 2003 (exhibit 8). Marijuana
was the most likely primary drug at admission (37.9
percent), followed by other drugs (22.9 percent), alcohol
(17.9 percent), heroin (14.3 percent), and cocaine
(7.1 percent). The clients are similar to the
State in gender breakdown—67.9 percent male vs.
32.1 percent female. The racial and ethnic breakdown
was less dramatic in the PMSA. White clients accounted
for 46.4 percent of the population, while
Blacks constituted 29.3 percent. The clients were also
EPIDEMIOLOGIC TRENDS IN DRUG ABUSE—Newark PMSA
young, with 10.7 percent younger than 18 and 40
percent between the ages of 18 and 24.
Preliminary unweighted data accessed through
DAWN Live! for January through June 2004 show
only two methamphetamine ED reports for all causes.
ED reports for amphetamines, however, were higher,
with 20 reports (exhibit 4). Approximately 50 percent
of stimulant reports were made by those younger than
25. The three chief complaints when presenting included
altered mental status (50 percent), other reasons
(36 percent), and overdose (36 percent).
Wholesale and midlevel methamphetamine prices
have fluctuated in New Jersey. These price variations
resulted primarily from increased costs associated
with obtaining methamphetamine (particularly crystal
methamphetamine) from other regions of the country
and other countries and transporting the drug to New
Jersey. Methamphetamine previously sold for $8,500
to $20,000 per kilogram and $800 to $1,000 per
ounce, but between July and December 2004,
methamphetamine sold for $15,000–$25,000 per
kilogram and $800–$1,500 per ounce (exhibit 7). On
the retail level, methamphetamine sold for between
$20 and $180 per gram.
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or
Ecstasy)
The number of MDMA ED reports between January
and June 2004 in the DAWN Live! system was seven
(exhibit 4). Approximately 86 percent of those mentioning
MDMA were male. More than 70 percent of
the MDMA reports were made by individuals younger
than 30, including 57 percent younger than 25. Altered
mental status (57 percent) was the chief single complaint
registered when mentioning MDMA in the ED.
Between July and December 2004, MDMA sold for
$20–$30 per tablet (exhibit 7).
Phencyclidine (PCP)
The unweighted number of PCP ED reports between
January and June 2004 accessed from DAWN Live!
was nine (exhibit 4). Approximately 78 percent of
those reporting PCP were male. Almost 44 percent of
the PCP reports were made by individuals younger
than 30. Altered mental status (33 percent) and psychiatric
condition (33 percent) were the top complaints
given when mentioning PCP in the ED.
Alcohol
In the Newark PMSA, alcohol-only treatment admissions
as a proportion of all admissions decreased
Proceedings of the Community Epidemiology Work Group, Vol. II, January 2005 149