Narcotic Analgesics, 2002 Update

This issue of The DAWN Report focuses on drug abuse-related emergency department (ED) visits that involved narcotic analgesics. Narcotic analgesics are a type of pain reliever, derived from natural or synthetic opiates.1 Examples of some common brand names include Vicodin®, Percocet®, OxyContin® and Darvon®. According to data collected by the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) from 1995 to 2002:
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In 2002, narcotic analgesics were involved in 16 percent of total drug abuse-related ED visits, accounting for an estimated 108,320 visits. ■
From 2001 to 2002, drug abuse-related ED visits involving narcotic analgesics increased 20 percent (from 90,232 to 108,320 visits). Over the longer term, visits increased 153 percent from 1995 to 2002 (up from 42,857 visits). ■
More than one substance was involved in nearly three-quarters of all drug abuse-related ED visits involving narcotic analgesics.
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The number of drug abuse-related ED visits involving narcotic analgesics increased from 1995 to 2002 for all age groups except patients age 12 to 17. The 45 to 54 age group experienced the largest increase (298%).
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Hydrocodone and oxycodone were the narcotic analgesics most frequently mentioned in drug abuse-related ED visits in 2002. However, in almost 40 percent (42,214) of the ED visits, the narcotic analgesic was not specified by name.
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Dependence was the most frequently mentioned motive underlying drug abuse-related ED visits involving narcotic analgesics (47%).