title: Assessing pediatric and young adult substance use through analysis of prehospital data.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Substance use in young adults is a significant and growing problem. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel often encounter this problem, yet the use of prehospital data to evaluate the prevalence and magnitude of substance abuse has been limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated drug and alcohol use through the use of prehospital and EMS data in one suburban county in Maryland (USA). The primary hypothesis was that the type of drug being abused is associated with age. The secondary hypothesis was substance abuse incidence is associated with location. The tertiary hypothesis was that substance abuse is associated with a history of mental illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Deidentified patient care reports (PCRs) were obtained during a 24-month period from October 2010 through September 2012 for patients 0 through 25 years of age. Inclusion criteria included chief complaint of alcohol overdose, drug overdose, or the use of naloxone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The primary hypothesis was supported that age was associated with drug category (P < .001). Younger adolescents were more likely to use household items, prescription drugs, or over-the-counter drugs, whereas older adolescents were more likely to use illicit drugs. The secondary hypothesis was supported that both alcohol (P < .001) and drugs (P < .001) were associated with location of call. Calls involving alcohol were more likely to be at a home or business, whereas calls involving drugs were more likely to be at home or at a public venue. The tertiary hypothesis was supported that both alcohol (P = .001) and drug use (P < .001) were associated with history of mental illness. Older adolescents were more likely to report a history of mental illness. Chi-squared tests indicated there were significant differences between genders and drug category (P = .002) and gender and current suicide attempt (P = .004). Females were more likely to use prescription drugs, whereas males were more likely to use illicit drugs. Calls involving younger adolescents under 18 were more likely to be at school or the mall, whereas calls involving older adolescents were likely to be at a prison, public venue, or a business.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All three hypotheses were supported: the type of substance being abused was associated with both age and location, and substance abuse was associated with a history of mental illness. This research has important implications for understanding how EMS resources are utilized for substance use. This information is valuable in not only the education and training of prehospital care providers, but also for the targeting of future public health interventions.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Behavioral and Community Health,School of Public Health,University of Maryland,College Park,MarylandUSA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Seaman
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Emergency Medicine,Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,Baltimore,MarylandUSA.
authors.forename: Mathew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Emergency Medicine,Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,Baltimore,MarylandUSA.
authors.forename: J Lee
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: 3Howard County,Department of Fire and Rescue Services,Columbia,MarylandUSA.
authors.forename: Cassandra Chiras
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Godar
authors.affiliation: 3Howard County,Department of Fire and Rescue Services,Columbia,MarylandUSA.
authors.forename: Kevin G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Seaman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000379:methods*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult