ALCOHOL TOPS DRUG-ABUSE LIST

Alcohol is the most used and misused drug in Sacramento County, where
national data indicate about 183,000 residents need treatment for
alcohol abuse, according to a new study. But drinking isn't the only
problem. Most people seeking publicly funded drug treatment report using
an average of five substances each, including alcohol, tobacco,
marijuana, methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates, hallucinogens and PCP,
the report states.

"This means that instead of just treating a specific problem, we need to
treat the person," said Guy Klopp of the county Alcohol and Drug
Services Division.

The findings are included in the first comprehensive look at the extent
and impact of alcohol and drug problems in Sacramento County. The
18-month study was spearheaded by two health advisory panels with
support from the Department of Health and Human Services. The Board of
Supervisors is set to hear the report at 11:30 a.m. today in chambers at
700 H St., Sacramento.

Because of many gaps in local data, researchers extrapolated some
findings from state and national information. Dr. Glennah Trochet, the
county health officer, said the study is not intended to be a research
paper but rather a call for more attention -- including data
collection -- to the issue.

"Alcohol and other drugs are a huge problem in Sacramento County,"
Trochet said. "It seems to be a common thread in many of the other
problems we talk about, such as child abuse, homicide and domestic
violence."

Klopp said the local findings on alcohol and drug use largely reflect
national trends with one exception: Methamphetamine is more prevalent in
the Central Valley of California than on the East Coast. The number of
people seeking treatment in Sacramento County who report methamphetamine
as their primary drug of choice steadily increased from fewer than 1,000
in 1996 to almost 1,500 last year, according to the study.

Among other findings:

Although legal, alcohol is a major public health problem in Sacramento.
More than $32 million is spent annually on hospital stays related to
alcoholism. Drinking is also the most frequent cause of death due to
substance abuse.

Alcohol is the most frequently used drug among youths under age 21,
followed by tobacco, marijuana and inhalants. The youngest victims are
unborn, with 11 percent of all births in Sacramento County showing signs
of perinatal exposure to alcohol or other drugs.

Marijuana is the second most prevalent drug used among all ages in
Sacramento County, with an estimated 132,100 users in the past 12
months, based on a statewide survey. Other drugs reported included
cocaine/crack, 22,600 users; hallucinogens, 16,700; amphetamines,
19,000; and opiates, 7,100.

Substance abuse cuts across all age, cultural, ethnic and gender groups.
A higher incidence of cocaine/crack use is found among African
Americans, who reported much lower use of methamphetamines and opiates
than other ethnic groups.

The neighborhood impact is disproportionate. Per capita, central
Sacramento has the most on-sale liquor licenses and admissions to
publicly funded treatment programs. Meth lab seizures occur most often
in northern communities, including North Highlands, Carmichael and
northern areas of the city of Sacramento.

County officials said they will ask the Board of Supervisors to
recognize drug and alcohol abuse as a top public health priority.

"It's something that competes with child welfare, criminal justice,
health and education priorities," said Toni Moore, chief of the county
alcohol and drug division. "But it's a problem that cuts across all of
those other systems as well."