ALCOHOL STILL MAIN SCOURGE IN MINNESOTA, DRUG STUDY SAYS

Hazelden Report Notes Its Widespread Use, Troublesome Effects

Crack cocaine and methamphetamine may be the drugs we discuss and fear
most, but alcohol, the age-old plague of mankind, still holds the strongest
grip on Minnesotans.

In a report issued Tuesday, substance abuse researcher Carol Falkowski said
evidence indicates cocaine use is declining slightly in the Twin Cities.
But more methamphetamine use is being seen by police, in hospital emergency
rooms and treatment programs, the Hazelden Foundation researcher said.

That finding is overshadowed, Falkowski said, by the fact that alcohol use
is more widespread in Minnesota than other states. A recent statewide
telephone survey revealed 60.5 percent of Minnesota adults use alcohol,
compared with 54.8 percent nationally, she said.

"Alcohol is a socially-sanctioned substance, it is our legal drug. It has
always been the case that Minnesotans are more frequent drinkers than our
counterparts," she said in an interview.

There are a lot of opinions on why that is the case, Falkowski said, "but
perhaps we are more law-abiding, that is avoiding illegal drugs. I've been
doing this (researching substance abuse) and it's always been the case that
we are higher in alcohol abuse and lower in illegal drug use."

Falkowski said alcohol accounted for 48.3 percent of admissions to metro
area treatment programs this year. There also were 69 alcohol-related
deaths in Hennepin and Ramsey counties from January through June.

In contrast, there were 22 cocaine-related deaths in Hennepin and Ramsey
counties during the first six months of 1998. There were 74 such deaths in
1996, and 22 last year, Falkowski's report said.

There is evidence, Falkowski said, that cocaine-related emergency room
visits are declining after a 40 percent increase from 1995 to 1996. Cocaine
accounted for about 14 percent of admissions to treatment programs this
year and last.

Minnesota's propensity for alcohol may be tied to the fact that the state
is removed from major distribution routes for illegal drugs, such as
Interstate 95, the major route from Miami to New York, which can influence
patterns of use.

"In Minnesota, we are in the middle of the North American continent and not
close, geographically, to source countries for illicit drugs. This may
explain our lower rate of illicit drug use and our preference for more
available mood-altering substances such as alcohol," Falkowski suggested.

Alcohol, she continued, is "the Number 1 substance of abuse among
adolescents and always has been, in spite of recent societal emphasis on
illicit drugs."

With the new year at hand, Falkowski cautioned women to keep close watch on
their drinks when they venture out Thursday evening.

The reason is that gamma hydroxy butyrate (GHB), known as a "date rape
drug," has been identified by St. Paul and Minneapolis police crime
laboratories. Those were the first reports Falkowski had received of the
drug's appearance here.

"The presence of GHB is significant because it has showed up in other parts
of the country as a date-rape drug and deaths have been reported," she said.

Typically, people come across the drug at nightclubs. She said it has been
a problem in Miami, where it has caused recent deaths when it was combined
with alcohol.

"Coming up to New Year's Eve when many people drink, women should guard
their beverages to make sure this drug is not unknowingly added . . . it
has been used as a knockout drug," Falkowski said.

As to methamphetamine, commonly known as "crank" and "speed," Falkowski
said school chemical health specialists are reporting the drug is becoming
increasingly available in area high schools. Twin Cities police also are
seeing increased activity in "meth" with arrests and seizures escalating.

Methamphetamine accounted for 12.7 percent of admissions to addiction
treatment programs. The drug accounted for four deaths in Ramsey County the
first six months of 1998, compared with two in all of 1997. There has been
one such death in Hennepin County during the first six months of 1998,
compared to two in 1997 and 1996, Falkowski said.

She said marijuana was cited in 20 percent of admissions to metro treatment
programs this year and last. Half those entering the marijuana programs
were under 18 and in treatment for the first time. The average age for
first marijuana use is 13.8 years, she said.

Hazelden, based in Center City, Minn., conducts research and provides
substance abuse treatment.