NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE EPIDEMIOLOGIC ...

Foreword
This publication includes papers presented at the 57th
semiannual meeting of the Community Epidemiology
Work Group (CEWG) held in Long Beach, California,
on January 26–28, 2005, under the sponsorship of the
National Institutes of Health, National Institute on
Drug Abuse (NIDA). The CEWG is composed of researchers
from 21 sentinel areas in the Nation who
meet semiannually to present data on drug abuse patterns
and trends in their areas. CEWG members have
extensive knowledge and experience in community
research and their local communities. Members are
also informed and have extensive knowledge about the
drug literature, drugs of abuse, drug-abusing populations,
the social and health consequences of drug
abuse, drug trafficking patterns, and emerging drug
problems within and across communities.
As part of the CEWG’s monitoring role, members
continue their research between meetings, using the
Internet, conference calls, and mailings to alert one
another to new issues and to follow up on issues and
emerging drug patterns identified at meetings. Issues
identified are often added to the agenda of the subsequent
CEWG meeting.
At the January 2005 meeting, CEWG members presented
recent findings on the abuse of stimulants and
EPIDEMIOLOGIC TRENDS IN DRUG ABUSE—Foreword
other drugs. Four other researchers presented data
from NIDA-supported studies in a panel on methamphetamine
abuse.
Three technical experts participated in a panel focused
on Exploring the Internet as a Potential Tool
for Monitoring Drug Abuse Trends.
Also at the meeting, a Canadian researcher reported
recent survey data from Canada’s drug abuse surveillance
system. In addition, an official from the Mexican
Ministry of Health provided an update on drug
abuse patterns and trends in Mexico, based on data
produced by Mexico’s drug abuse surveillance system.
Information reported at each CEWG meeting is disseminated
to drug abuse prevention and treatment
agencies, public health officials, researchers, and policymakers.
The information is intended to alert authorities
at the local, State, regional, and national levels and
the general public to current drug abuse patterns and
trends and emerging drug problems so that appropriate
and timely action can be taken. Researchers also use
this information to develop research hypotheses that
might explain social, behavioral, and biological issues
related to drug abuse.
Moira P. O’Brien
Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse
National Institutes of Health
Department of Health and Human Services
Proceedings of the Community Epidemiology Work Group, Vol. II, January 2005 iii