Mathias B Forrester1, Tracy Haywood. 1. Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries Section, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX 78756, USA. mathias.forrester@dshs.state.tx.us
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Synthetic cannabinoids have recently gained popularity as recreational drugs because they provide a marijuana-like high and cannot be detected in typical urine drug screens. However, the use of synthetic cannabinoids may result in a variety of adverse effects. OBJECTIVES: The intent of this investigation was to determine whether synthetic cannabinoid exposures in Texas demonstrated any geographic variation. METHODS: A total of 1037 synthetic cannabinoid exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 2010-2011 were identified and the county and Texas Public Health Region (PHR) where the call originated from ascertained. The distribution of exposures by county and PHR was determined. RESULTS: Synthetic cannabinoid exposures were reported in 124 of the 254 Texas counties (mean exposures per county 4.1, range 0-179). The exposure rate among the 11 PHRs varied from 2.79 to 7.14 per 100,000 population. The rate was 4.02 in urban counties and 4.90 in rural counties. CONCLUSION: Synthetic cannabinoid exposures reported to Texas poison centers varied by geographic region. The rate tended to be higher in rural counties. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Such information may be useful when attempting to target education and prevention activities.
BACKGROUND: Synthetic cannabinoids have recently gained popularity as recreational drugs because they provide a marijuana-like high and cannot be detected in typical urine drug screens. However, the use of synthetic cannabinoids may result in a variety of adverse effects. OBJECTIVES: The intent of this investigation was to determine whether synthetic cannabinoid exposures in Texas demonstrated any geographic variation. METHODS: A total of 1037 synthetic cannabinoid exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 2010-2011 were identified and the county and Texas Public Health Region (PHR) where the call originated from ascertained. The distribution of exposures by county and PHR was determined. RESULTS: Synthetic cannabinoid exposures were reported in 124 of the 254 Texas counties (mean exposures per county 4.1, range 0-179). The exposure rate among the 11 PHRs varied from 2.79 to 7.14 per 100,000 population. The rate was 4.02 in urban counties and 4.90 in rural counties. CONCLUSION: Synthetic cannabinoid exposures reported to Texas poison centers varied by geographic region. The rate tended to be higher in rural counties. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: Such information may be useful when attempting to target education and prevention activities.
Authors: Zurina Hassan; Oliver G Bosch; Darshan Singh; Suresh Narayanan; B Vicknasingam Kasinather; Erich Seifritz; Johannes Kornhuber; Boris B Quednow; Christian P Müller Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2017-08-18 Impact factor: 4.157