NCJ Number
213383
Journal
Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 41 Issue: 3 Dated: 2006 Pages: 297-306
Date Published
2006
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study explored patterns of flunitrazepam abuse and malicious use calls to Texas poison centers from 1998 through 2003.
Abstract
Results showed that while no annual trend for abuse calls to Texas poison centers emerged, there was a steady decline in the number of malicious use calls during the study period. Geographic distribution analysis indicated that most abuse calls came from the south and west areas of Texas while most malicious use calls originated in west Texas. Those who abused flunitrazepam were more likely to be male (55 percent) and adolescents (76 percent); most exposure occurred in their own residence (68 percent) or at school (16 percent). On the other hand, most malicious use calls involved females (93 percent) and adults (74 percent) and exposure was most likely to occur in a public place (47 percent) followed by their own residence (26 percent). Abuse and malicious use calls also differed by medical outcome, with malicious use calls more likely to result in moderate effects than abuse calls (36 percent and 23 percent, respectively). The findings can be used to identify subpopulations most at risk for flunitrazepam abuse and malicious use. Data included all human exposure calls received by the Texas Poison Center Network (TPCN) during 1998 through 2003 involving both flunitrazepam abuse and malicious use. The sample included 620 human exposure calls. The analysis focused on estimating the distribution of calls by year of call, geographic location of caller, patient gender and age, place of exposure, and medical outcome. Tables, glossary, references