More Patients at ERs Citing Pot Use

CARSON CITY -- A federal study that shows drug-related emergency room visits are on the rise takes aim at marijuana use.

The survey, by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, said drug-related emergency room visits rose 6 percent in 2001 over the previous year, to 638,484.

The number of times marijuana was mentioned as a drug patients used rose 15 percent, the study said, greater than the increase in cocaine use, which rose 10 percent, and heroin and methamphetamine, which were unchanged.

The study, which surveys 458 hospital emergency rooms nationwide, comes as Nevada and Arizona consider ballot questions that would legalize or decriminalize marijuana.

"Marijuana-related medical emergencies are increasing at an alarming rate, exceeding even those for heroin," White House Drug Czar John Walters said in a prepared statement. "This report helps dispel the pervasive myth that marijuana is harmless.

"In reality, marijuana is a dangerous drug, and adults and youth alike should be aware of the serious consequences that can come from smoking it."

Billy Rogers, leader of the campaign to pass Nevada's ballot question, which would legalize possession of up to three ounces of marijuana, disputed the conclusions.

"They're not talking about marijuana emergencies," Rogers said. "Nobody has died from an overdose of marijuana."

When patients go to an emergency room, they are asked what, if any, drugs they have taken. The federal Drug Abuse Warning Network counts the mentions of illegal drugs and misused prescription drugs reported by patients, and those are compiled into the twice-a-year study. Often patients said they had taken more than one drug.

Alcohol in combination with other drugs was the most frequently mentioned nationwide, at 34 percent, with cocaine at 30 percent, marijuana at 17 percent and heroin, 15 percent.

Marijuana had been used in combination with other drugs 76 percent of the time it was mentioned; 24 percent of the time, it was the sole drug used.

The increase in marijuana use reflected in emergency room visits drew federal concern. Between 1994 and 2001, mentions of marijuana per 100,000 emergency room patients rose 151 percent, compared with 34 percent for heroin and 22 percent for cocaine.

The rate for patients age 12 to 17, although stable from 2000 to 2001, increased 23 percent from 1999 to 2001, the report said.

"The clear message of the DAWN survey is that in already crowded emergency rooms, increasingly, one of the reasons people are showing up is marijuana use," said Mark Weber, spokesman for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

"It's taking resources from other parts of the health care sector. If you have 10 people in a room, how do you prioritize?"

The study gave separate reports for 21 cities, but Las Vegas was not among them. Neither the state nor county health division had statistics for Nevada or Las Vegas on those treated in emergency rooms with marijuana problems, and University Medical Center does not track drug use by type of drug, a spokesman said.

Local paramedics said they have noticed an increase in drug use overall in Las Vegas, but not in marijuana, said Tammy Bame, spokeswoman for American Medical Response.

"No one seems to feel there is an increase," Bame said. "There's nothing that really stands out."

AMR paramedic Shannon Cavey said Thursday the top drugs she sees in the Las Vegas area are crystal meth, GHB and Ecstasy, drugs not frequently used with marijuana.

"We see a lot more of those than people just getting high ( on marijuana )," Cavey said.

Alcohol, another depressant, is the drug most commonly associated with marijuana use, she said.

An informal poll at Valley Hospital showed a similar result. Emergency room personnel have not noticed any increase in marijuana-related cases, spokeswoman Gretchen Pappas said.

Weber, of SAMHSA, agreed that in Western cities use of club drugs and methamphetamine has been more prevalent since the early 1990s. But across the country, he said, more young people are in drug treatment for marijuana dependence that all other illegal drugs combined.

As with any depressant, marijuana can be dangerous when taken with other depressants, Cavey said. However, a marijuana-only overdose is rare, said Cavey, who has been a paramedic for 10 years.

"I have never even seen anyone overdose on marijuana," Cavey said. "It's always been mixed with something else."

Rogers said there is going to be a lot of smoke blown in this election campaign and his job is to cut through it to get the facts.

Besides allowing the possession of up to three ounces of marijuana by adults, the constitutional amendment would allow the state Legislature to set up "pot shops" to distribute marijuana.

"Nevadans are smart enough to know that heroin and cocaine are dangerous and marijuana is less dangerous," Rogers said.

Marinol is not marijuana, and the DEA is relying on research it commissioned and paid for in determining wheather marijuana has any medical benefit (see your previous observations about politics and science).

As far as your arguments about drugs and violence, there is no clinical research, by the government or anyone else that shows marijuana to be associated with violent behavior. There is ample evidence that associates alcohol with violent behavior. Additionally, there is no "illegal high level of booze". There are illegal levels of BAC while driving, but there is no legal limit on how much alcohol a person can consume, per se.

The debate is about more than the result, it is also about the process. To limit the discussion to only the result is to implicitly grant that the end justifies the means.

I've seen enough men in prison related to pot and other drugs to exuse your drug-speak for what it is.

So everyone in prision is always guilty? And is the punishment justified? Not to long ago, being a christian was so despised by the ruling class, that christians could end with the lions everyday. They, too, broke the law but did they desvere their punishment?

Make any reasons you like up and find all the liberal pro-scientists and reports you like.

If you dont want to listen, thats your choice. But if you want to speak, please cite facts. What makes pot so dangerous that you deserve a jail time for it?

Still ends up the same, the drug use and alcohol abuse by people make them misfits to society but very open to lodging at your local jail, mostly for violent crime.

Abuse makes them misfit, not use. You can use pot & alcohol safely and reasonable. As long as there are no serious crimes broken there is no need to protect people from their own choice.

Nothing you can bring to the discussion can change the always bad end results.

If you don't want to accept my position, bring arguments for your position.

Pretty much all of those in prison are guilty. Pretty much all of men's prisons are filled with violent illegal drug and booze abusers as well!

So illegal drugs lead to nowhere but a bad end.

If you are lucky, perhaps an early death.

Yes, perpetual abusers would be misfits in society - those would be the kindest words!

You need to get off the pot fantasy, it stays longer than the booze. it's a totally different animal.

Plus now that there are new legal drugs created from pot that provide the pain relief without the high, the debate is over. There is no medical need that they can't get accessed legally through the doctor.

The only ones left with conserns with the plants are the addicts, the rest of the medical issue was answered by way of a new medicine this month.
Hooray!

Pretty much all of those in prison are guilty

Pretty much all? Not all? So there are innocent in jail? Tough shit.

Pretty much all of men's prisons are filled with violent illegal drug and booze abusers as well!

The problem is, it is also filled with non-violent drug users, but not with non-violent alcohol users. But alcohol is as dangerous as pot or even more so. Why arent both drugs punished the same way? Why don't punish the alcohol users if you punish the pot users? Where is the difference? What makes pot so much worse?

So illegal drugs lead to nowhere but a bad end.

Is that because the drugs are illegal or because of the health hazzards?

Yes, perpetual abusers would be misfits in society - those would be the kindest words!

What about those who don't abuse alcohol or pot? Why punish those?

You need to get off the pot fantasy, it stays longer than the booze. it's a totally different animal.

It stays 2-4 hours. An you don't have a headache afterwards. Get informed.

Plus now that there are new legal drugs created from pot that provide the pain relief without the high, the debate is over.Expensive drug without high versus cheap plant with the same medical effects but with a high? What makes the high so dangerous? People get a 'high' from alcohol or nicotine, too. Why do you care? Also, there is no physical THC addiction, again, why do you care?

The only ones left with conserns with the plants are the addicts, the rest of the medical issue was answered by way of a new medicine this month.

I still don't understand why I should pay for an overpriced pill for a herb that grows in the backyard. And just because some 'enjoy a high' doesnt mean those are addicts. I know plenty of people who just like to drink alcohol but I wouldnt call those addicts.

The system isn't that bad. I would imagine that there are fewer innocent people in our jails than the rest of the world! I think the number is small, but I wouldn't open the doors to a bunch of violent people and get a bunch of others killed due to one bad conviction.

well, since I think that non-violent drug users are innocent, there are a lot innocent in jail, right now.

I don't know your state, but we have few non-violent people in jails. The violent ones take up the bulk of the areas.

I happen to live in a state with a lot of prisions. I also work for some social programs on my free time. Nothing much, legal advise for people who will stand in front of a court for small felonys like possesion of weed. I see bad guys and I see good guys. I don't see why people should face jail only because they want to smoke some damn plant. There are worse problems today. Why we spend our money controling other people's eating habit while there are dangerous men around is beyond me.

Illegal drug users take up a lot of tax dollars, if not by violent crime, then by health issues.

I'll wager that the whole WOD and the time they spent in jail is more expensive than the health impact. By a large degree.

You can't pass a drug test in 2-4 hours because it affects you for a long time.

What drug test? If you mean a chemical analyse, you would be probably right. Traces and waste products of THC can be found in the body for weeks. But no 'active' material, only waste.

This is nothing special. A hair analyse can show practical anything you took over the years. Alcohol, pot, any legal substance or industrial waste. You name it, you'll find it.

But the high will be gone after 2-4 hours. To be on the safe side, I would say a max of 12 hours. It will be gone after a good night sleep. And no headache.

Why use the herb at all?

well, why not? Why is it your bussiness. Do you want people sticking their nose in your affairs? I have no clue what you do in your free time. And I dont care actually. As long as you only bring you own life in danger I couldnt care less.

If people defraud others in this country they are non-violent and get jail.
The non-violent drug offenders are in jail (if at all) are so because they have been given tons of chances and have not stopped dealing (in most cases).
Maybe by your community, drugs might be the thing that makes your society stick together, but here in the USA we have too many side issues with drugs to leave it alone.

The cost of medical care could become public and that is not right.
Most often drug offenders have their families in turmoil and have caused them to go broke financially and emotionally.

Basically if someone is caught woth a small amount, they might just get a ticket in CA.
If there is a substantial amount and don't have a record of dealing, they get a chance to go to a re-hab, get probation and the record will be publically clear.

Here in California, almost every job not being offered by a ma and pa business has drug testing.

In a local market I was informed that out of a recent group of applicants for work, 11 of 12 failed a drug test.

Very bad stuff.

Nothing good about illegal drugs.

On the issue of why it is anyone's business?

Well for the most part it is your own if you are able to shut up about what you are doing and are half way smart about it.
But it is illegal and is a drug. It is associated with just about every violent criminal in jail along with getting drunk.
Being these things get to the public treasury in many ways, it red flags itself.

In my neighborhood you can't run out in your backyard and bark at the moon naked.
In another neighboorhood with few neighbors, you can perform a musical naked and nobody will notice or care.
So my point is the person smoking pot has a lot of control as to whether they get caught.
If they want to be public or show off at parties, public places or cars, eventually they will be found out.

But if illegal issues are found out, you need to be an adult and accept the responsiblities of your own choices.

As the charicater Barretta performed by the jailed Robert Blake used to say, "Don't do the time if you can't do the time"

Can you dig it?

If people defraud others in this country they are non-violent and get jail.

Well, of course. No problem there

The non-violent drug offenders are in jail (if at all) are so because they have been given tons of chances and have not stopped dealing (in most cases).

Oh, lets talk numbers here. On a other thread a pro WOD said about 15,400 men are in jail for simple possesion of weed. Nothing else. Does the possesion of a herb justify a prision term? Why?

Maybe by your community, drugs might be the thing that makes your society stick together, but here in the USA we have too many side issues with drugs to leave it alone.

This is not a 'your side', 'my side' problem. The question is, why concentrate on people who do drugs but dont endanger others? Why not decriminalize personal use and allow the people to grow their own stuff? Harder drugs might require a better solution but hemp or Marijuana is not dangerous. There is no lethal overdose with MJ. Compare that with nicotin or alcohol. There has been a news report about a rather stupid mother. Her baby ate half a ciggarret and died. Nicotin is a toxin. Tribes in southern america used it to kill animals with poisoned arrows. Had this been a joint, the baby would have been sick but not dead. Why punish possesion of a non-addictive, non-lethal substance?

The cost of medical care could become public and that is not right.

You would rather pay for the WOD? Also, I want to remind you that there are several cases where WOD warrios killed innocent bystanders. I would rather pay for health care then for a police force that violates basic rights and kills innocent all in the name of "public health"

Most often drug offenders have their families in turmoil and have caused them to go broke financially and emotionally.

Is that because drug offenders get a lot of legal trouble or because the substance is so dangerous? Besides, abuse of a perfectly legal substance like alcohol can get you broke and your family in turmoil. Once again, why punish pot smokers but not alcoholics, although abuse leads to the same result in both cases?

Basically if someone is caught woth a small amount, they might just get a ticket in CA.

Well, good. Decriminalize personal use. Now if there was someone who is allowed to sell small amounts. I would pay the police to control that.

Here in California, almost every job not being offered by a ma and pa business has drug testing.

I don't like drug testing much. If I would smoke a joint friday or saturday, there is no reason why I couldnt work on monday. But thats the companies bussiness. They can do what they want

In a local market I was informed that out of a recent group of applicants for work, 11 of 12 failed a drug test.

Well, take the following situation. There is an alcohol test wich is able to tell if you drank alcohol six weeks ago. Would you pass it? How many would pass? And if you would fail, wouldnt you still be able to work? Just because you drank alcohol six weeks ago, doesnt mean you can't work.

Very bad stuff.

well, to tell the truth I wouldnt pass the drug test either.

Nothing good about illegal drugs.

The point is, if the drug is bad for you, you wouldnt need to make it illegal. The punishment for smoking crack is smoking crack. You get what you deserve. But there are people who can live with nicotine, pot and alcohol and probably some other 'illegal' drug. Maybe they wont get old, but thats their problem. As long as they don't breake non-drug crimes I really dont care and I dont want to pay for it.

Well for the most part it is your own if you are able to shut up about what you are doing and are half way smart about it.

Hmm. I dont like the logic of that.

If someone is able to take drugs and nobody notices it, why is he forced to hide it. Arent you saying,"do what you want but keep it quiet"? Well, ok. But I dont like that. Suppose I manage to hide my drug use for years and nobody gets it. If someone founds it out, I can be blackmailed. I don't like that. If we can agree that there are drug users who can still work and raise a family, just like you can live and raise a family and drink a beer once in a while, why hide it?

But it is illegal and is a drug. It is associated with just about every violent criminal in jail along with getting drunk.

Oh my, its associated with criminals. Really, no offense, but if you want to think of me a criminal, be my guest. That won't make me cry out loud.

In my neighborhood you can't run out in your backyard and bark at the moon naked.

Hehe. Well, you could do it here, since I live in a lonely area. Some people a street and lot of trees. Is anyone in your neighborhood drinking beer after work or on the weekends? How is that different from smoking a joint after work or on the weekends?

So my point is the person smoking pot has a lot of control as to whether they get caught. If they want to be public or show off at parties, public places or cars, eventually they will be found out.

You position is flawed. If someone can control their use enough to hide it, why is there a need to hide it? If everybody knows that the person smokes pot, he is controled by friends and neighbors. Suppose I know a pot smoker who can't control his drug anymore. His behavior changes. I can advise him to stop it, as a freind. No need to call the police. But if he hides it I don't know whats wrong with him. I guess he'll just go crazy and start a rampage. Too bad.

But if illegal issues are found out, you need to be an adult and accept the responsiblities of your own choices.

Only if it's reasonable. I am an adult. If I brake a law, I pay for it. But not every law is just. There are unjust laws. The punishment for many drug related crimes is way too hard. Why do I have to hide the fact that I smoke pot? I work, pay taxes. Why hunt for me?

Can you dig it?

Well, I see your position, I don't agree with it, though. Let the market handle it. Decriminalize personal use of soft drugs and regulate selling. Less crime, less pay, less victims.

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