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DAWN: Drug Abuse Warning Network or Data About Worthless Numbers?
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|November 1, 1980
Summary
This study analyzed drug abuse cases from 1977, examining blood concentrations for common drugs and alcohol. Findings suggest caution when interpreting drug abuse trends from current Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) data collection methods.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) system collects data on drug abuse episodes.
- Previous studies have analyzed DAWN data to understand drug abuse trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present further toxicologic results from DAWN system mentions.
- To detail blood concentrations of commonly reported drugs, alone and with alcohol.
- To evaluate the reliability of DAWN data for inferring drug abuse trends.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 1008 "mentions" to the DAWN system.
- Examination of toxicologic results and blood concentrations.
- Focus on commonly reported drugs and their combinations with alcohol.
Main Results:
- Detailed blood concentration data for frequently reported drugs in 1977.
- Analysis of drug-drug and drug-alcohol interactions.
- Identification of limitations in current DAWN data collection for trend analysis.
Conclusions:
- The collected DAWN data from 1977 provides specific toxicologic insights.
- Caution is advised when inferring drug abuse trends solely from the current DAWN data collection methods.
- Further refinement of data collection may be necessary for accurate trend analysis.