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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Michael Fendrich, PhD, Center for Addiction & Behavioral Health Research, University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Endiris Hall, Room 1191, P.O. Box 786, Milwaukee, WI 53201, 414-229-6749, fendrich@uwm.edu and Timothy Johnson, PhD, Survey Research Laboratory, University of Illinois-Chicago, 615 CUPPAH, 412 S. Peoria, Chicago, IL 60607.

Studies conducted in Washington, D.C. and New York City following the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01 have shown high rates of stress related symptomatology and increases in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use. Studies conducted outside of areas directly affected by the attacks also showed symptomatology and elevated substance use, but to a lesser degree. Key limitations of these studies are their lack of baseline population information and their reliance on self-reprorts of substance use. We report on a 2001 Chicago-based household survey on drug abuse that included drug testing as part of the data collection procedure. We evaluate responses of over 400 subjects who participated in an ACASI survey on drug abuse and who also provided urine and saliva test specimens in several months preceding and following the attacks. Over one third of the sample was interviewed within three months after the terrorist attacks. Bivariate results indicated statistically significant reductions in the rate of positive drug tests for cocaine and marijuana post September 11th and marginally significant reductions in the rate of self-reported use of thes same substances. Thes results results were confirmed for both marijuana drug tests and survey self-reports in logistic regression models controlling for demographic variables. Compared with those interviewed after the terrorist attacks, those interviewed in the prior months had over twice the adjusted ods of a positive drug test for marijuana. Psychosocial, geographic, and law enforcement explanation forthese findings are discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Those attending this session will learn about the utilityof drug testing for understanding epidemiological trends. They will also learn more about the psychosocial impact of the events of 9/11/01 on behavior in communities outside the epicenter of the attacks.

Keywords: Substance Abuse, Disasters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered