Trends in alcohol- and drug-related ER and primary care visits, 1995-2000: are Healthy People 2000 objectives met?

Data were compared between the 1995 (n = 4925) and 2000 (n = 7612) National Alcohol Surveys to determine whether Healthy People 2000 objectives of a reduction in alcohol- and drug-related emergency room (ER) visits were met. Year of survey (2000) was positively predictive of drug use but not of alcohol use, prior to an event for which ER and other treatment were obtained. The data suggest Healthy People 2000 objectives were not met and in fact may be related to an increase in drug abuse among those seeking any kind of health services treatment, but not to an increase in drug use in general.