Highlights From DAWN: Newark, 2002

This special report presents findings based on data
submitted by 16 hospitals in the Newark
metropolitan area for 2002.
■ Of the 818,000 visits to Newark area emergency
departments (EDs) in 2002, about one percent
(7,677) were related to drug abuse.
■ In 2002, the most common drugs involved in
these ED visits were heroin, cocaine, alcohol in
combination with other drugs, narcotic analgesics
(pain relievers), benzodiazepines, and marijuana.
■ From 2000 to 2002, mentions of pain relievers
doubled in drug abuse-related ED visits in
Newark (from 31 to 64 per 100,000 population).
■ Among the 21 DAWN areas, Newark ranked in
the top 5 in ED visits involving heroin.