An analysis of the significant variation in psychostimulant use across the U.S.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a national profile of the area variation in per-capita psychostimulant consumption in the U.S.


METHODS
We separated 3030 U.S. counties into two categories of 'low' and 'high' per-capita use of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs (based on data from the Drug Enforcement Administration), and then analyzed them on the basis of their socio-demographic, economic, educational and medical characteristics.


RESULTS
We found significant differences and similarities in the profile of counties in the U.S. that are above and below the national median rate of per-capita psychostimulant use (defined as g/per 100K population). Compared to counties below the median level, counties above the median level have: significantly greater population, higher per-capita income, lower unemployment rates, greater HMO penetration, more physicians per capita, a higher ratio of young-to-old physicians and a slightly higher students-to-teacher ratio.


CONCLUSIONS
Our analysis of the DEA's ARCOS data shows that most of the significant variables correlated with 'higher' per-capita use of ADHD drugs serve as a proxy for county affluence. To provide a more complex, multivariate analysis of the area variation in psychostimulant use across the U.S.-which is the logical next step-requires obtaining price data to match the DEA's quantity data.
Bokhari
Farasat
F
Department of Economics, Florida State University, FL, USA.
Mayes
Rick
R
Scheffler
Richard M
RM
D000293:Adolescent; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States
D000662:Amphetamines; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate