STUDY: MORE THAN A THIRD OF YOUNG ADULTS IN STATE HAVE DRINKING PROBLEM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ More than a third of Connecticut's young adults have
problems with alcohol abuse, according to a recent survey by the state
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The study, to be
released next week, also found that residents of wealthy towns had similar
drug use habits as those in the inner city.

The six-year study of substance abuse patterns of criminals, high school
students, welfare recipients and the general population is the first of its
kind in Connecticut. Officials will try to use the information to determine
how money for treating drug and alcohol problems is allocated statewide.

"I don't see these studies as being revolutionary," said Alfred P.
Bidorini, director of program analysis, coordination and support for the
addiction services department. "They're building on a body of knowledge and
may be changing some assumptions regarding who needs treatment."

The study included a telephone survey of 6,866 adults in Connecticut.

According to the report, 36.8 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 said they had
alcohol abuse problems that put them at risk of accidents, alcoholism and
social and health problems. Young adults had the highest rate of alcohol
problems.

A large portion _ 22.1 percent _ of state residents 30 to 39 said they also
have trouble with alcohol abuse.

Bidorini said he was especially surprised with the finding that residents
of wealthy towns use drugs nearly as much as inner city residents.

Seven percent of adults in the state's wealthiest towns _ including
Greenwich and Darien _ were deemed to need treatment for abuse of any
substance, compared with 9 percent in the poorest cities in Connecticut.

In the wealthy towns, 6.6 percent of residents had problems with alcohol,
while 8.4 percent of city residents had alcohol abuse problems.

About 3.8 percent of wealthy town residents needed treatment for illegal
drugs, compared to 4.6 of city residents. Illegal drugs include heroin,
cocaine and marijuana.

"I think this is very telling; there is a need for treatment in all
communities, it's not just the inner city," Bidorini said.

But the information could be misleading because it relies on the honesty of
the survey participants, Bidorini said. And drug abusers are less likely to
have telephones, he said.

The study also found that adolescents in the suburbs have far fewer
problems with alcohol and drug abuse than their city counterparts, in
contrast to the adults.

And about 60 percent of people arrested on any charge need substance abuse
treatment, the report says.

Officials with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services plan
to present information from the report Thursday to members of 15 regional
action councils. The councils prepare plans to treat substance abuse
problems in their geographic areas.