LSD Abuse Trends In 1996

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) abuse trends of availability are increasing in many of the Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG) cities and prices have become somewhat lower. However, indicators of LSD abuse are declining in most areas. Rates of LSD-related emergency department (ED) mentions declined in every CEWG area with the exception of San Diego and New Orleans. Similarly, phencyclidine (PCP)-related ED mentions declined in six CEWG cities, but rose slightly in three. Primary hallucinogen users generally continue to constitute small percentages of total addiction treatment admissions. Most hallucinogen users are young, suburban and middle class. In numerous areas, such as Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis and Texas, PCP is frequently used in combination with other drugs, primarily marijuana. In Boston and Seattle, LSD and other hallucinogens are often regarded as club drugs and used in the rave scene.

Information released by the National Institute on Drug Abuse

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