Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106470

Kazi A. Ahmed, PhD, Johnson, Bassin & Shaw Inc., 8630 Fenton Street 12th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 301-495-1080, kahmed@jbs1.com

Using treatment data, the study compares the types of drugs used in the metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties of 10 States looks for patterns of major drug use in the two areas. Methods: In addition to developing socio-demographic profiles of the users in the two areas, the study examines the treatment outcomes (6-month post discharge) of the clients from these two areas. The data for the presentation comes from a national study called (TOPPS II) funded by the SAMHSA, US DHHS. Results: Results reveal marked differences in the choice of drugs among rural and urban clients--alcohol and marijuana in the rural areas, cocaine, heroin, and other drugs in the urban areas. In general rural clients were likely to be white, younger, employed, married and less likely to be homeless. Treatment outcomes were positive for both areas but the magnitude of abstinence rate varied by drugs. More alcohol and marijuana users abstinent at follow-up in urban areas compared to rural areas. Also slightly higher rate of abstinence among urban cocaine and other drugs users. Conclusion: Results from this study will have implications for treatment providers as well as public health policy makers at local, state, and federal levels as they think about fair and equitable allocation of limited resources and develop and reform new treatment programs.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the estimated rates of alcohol and other drug use in the rural and urban areas by selected demographic variables;
• Articulate treatment outcomes of major durgs among rural and urban clients.

Keywords: Alcohol, Other Drugs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.