Patterns and types of drug use,
misuse, and abuse vary widely
across communities, metro areas,
regions, and states.1 These differing
patterns across varied geographic areas
must be understood if appropriate
prevention and treatment interventions
are to be undertaken. As the front
line of prehospital care for individuals
experiencing acute adverse consequences
of drug use, emergency departments
(EDs) provide valuable insights into the
more serious aspects of certain patterns
of drug use.
The Drug