title: Health indicators of substance abuse problems in Baltimore.
abstract: Selected health indicators were examined for which Baltimore-specific data were available, including substance abuse treatment admissions, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) case reports, and drug-related emergency room visits and deaths. All indicators reflected high levels and increasing rates of substance abuse problems in Baltimore. Drugs of choice most likely to result in adverse effects were heroin, cocaine, and alcohol--often in combination. The African-American population in Baltimore is disproportionately affected by substance abuse. Emerging drug use patterns are examined, and health service and policy issues are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc., Maryland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeWeese
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D015142:Baltimore / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D014504:Urban Health / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs