ILLEGAL DRUG ABUSE TRIPLES IN OREGON

The rate of drug abuse is rising, but that of alcohol abuse is declining, a
survey finds

A new state survey has found illegal drug abuse on a dramatic rise in
Oregon, with more Oregonians abusing illicit drugs than alcohol.

The random telephone survey of 12,000 Oregonians suggested that an
estimated 376,000 people -- or one in about nine Oregonians -- need
treatment for drug or alcohol abuse problems, up from one in 16 Oregonians
in a similar 1995 study.

Alcohol abuse and dependence rates actually declined over the past four
years, from 10.5 percent of the adult population in 1995 to 7.8 percent
today. But illegal drug abuse tripled over the same period, rising from 3.1
percent of the adult population in 1995 to 10.6 percent in 1999.

State and local health officials said they were alarmed by the preliminary
results of the second Oregon Household Treatment Needs Survey released Tuesday.

"I am absolutely chagrined at the results of the study," said Jono Hildner,
acting administrator of the Health Division in the Oregon Department of
Human Services, which commissioned the survey. "Illicit substance abuse is
absolutely creating a huge problem for the health of Oregonians."

Hildner said substance abuse costs Oregonians in many ways on top of the
human toll, through alcohol- and drug-related court visits, vehicle
accidents, injuries, incarcerations and insurance costs.

"One in 10 adults in this state has a significant problem in this arena,"
said Hildner, who said other studies show that two-thirds of abused kids
have at least one parent who abuses drugs or alcohol.

"That's a cost we are going to bear for generations," he said. "I can't say
how appalled I am."

The survey found that among illicit drugs, marijuana topped the list, with
an estimated 8.7 percent of adult Oregonians abusing or dependent on the
drug. Some marijuana abusers also abused other substances, the survey found.

State officials said they didn't know why drug abuse showed a sharp spike
upward, while alcohol abuse appeared on the decline.

"We suspect it's going back to the attitudes (of a) much more casual view
of use today than five to 10 years ago," said Barbara A. Cimaglio, director
of the state Office of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs. "People are far
more tolerant of illegal drugs than in the past."

Among other findings:

Overall drug abuse by women increased from 1.4 percent of the population to
7.6 percent of the population since 1995.

The rate of substance abuse among Native American adults was highest of all
racial/ethnic groups, with an estimated 31 percent abuse rate -- twice that
for the total population. But because of a small sample rate, officials
said, the margin of error for the Native American numbers was high, plus or
minus 7 percent.

Substance abuse rates in Multnomah County are the state's highest, while
the smallest rate of increase was in Eastern Oregon.

Rates of substance abuse and dependence increased across the board, health
officials said, regardless of age, education level, employment status or race.

The survey looked at use of alcohol, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin,
cocaine and hallucinogens; the study used American Psychiatric Association
guidelines to define "abuse" and "dependence."

William H. Feyerherm, lead investigator on the 1999 and 1995 surveys and
vice provost for research at Portland State University, said he was shocked
by the increases.

The survey is part of a national project of the Center for Substance Abuse
Treatment in the U.S. Department of Human Services. Researchers interviewed
just over 12,000 adults between March and December 1999. Their telephone
numbers were selected randomly.

Gary Weeks, director of the state's Department of Human Services, said that
about 56,000 Oregonians are getting treatment for drug and alcohol
problems, just 15 percent of the number of people identified in the survey
as needing treatment.

He said he was thankful to the Legislature for appropriating $10 million
last session to address drug and alcohol abuse, the largest amount ever.
But he said his department will come back in the next session with a
request for more dollars for treatment, housing and prevention.

"We've got a ways to go," he said.

Jackie Mercer, director of the Native American Rehabilitation Association
in Portland, the state's only residential treatment program targeted for
Native American men and women, said the high percentage of reported
problems in Native American households was not surprising but tragic.

She said a multitude of factors contribute, including depression, poverty,
and lingering trauma from decades of destruction of Native American
cultural norms, families and spirituality.

"It's a disease that affects people's lives and kills people every day,"
Mercer said. "We have the responsibility to reach out and help."

Detailed information for each county in Oregon is available at the state
drug abuse program's Web site, http://www.oadap.hr.state.or.us/2000db.html.
You can reach Courtenay Thompson at 503-221-8503 or by e-mail at
courtenaythompson@news.oregonian.com.