LSD Abuse - Trends and Statistics

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) abuse continues to increase in Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG) cities.  Emergency Department (ED) mentions increased significantly in six cities (Baltimore, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Phoenix, and Washington, DC); no significant declines were recorded. In several CEWG areas, LSD used in combination with other club drugs continues to be reported among youth. For example, in south Florida, "rolling and trolling," combining LSD abuse and MDMA or ecstasy abuse, continues. In Texas, MDMA dealers also sell LSD. In Minneapolis/St. Paul for the first time, LSD has been sold on soda crackers, and in Phoenix, it is sold in "Sweet Breath" (a breath freshener) dropper bottles.

Phencyclidine (PCP) abuse continues to rise within the Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG) cities.  Emergency Department (ED) mentions were mixed, with two significant increases (in Chicago and Dallas) and two significant declines (in Miami and San Francisco). Among arrestees, PCP-positive findings remained generally stable, except for a decrease in Philadelphia and, following a decade of marked decline, an upturn in Washington, DC. The recent increases in the Dallas PCP indicators (including ADAM, ED, and poison center data) may reflect the use of marijuana cigarettes dipped in embalming fluid containing PCP. PCP continues to be smoked with marijuana in Chicago (known there as "wicky stick" or "donk"), Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York City, and St. Louis. In New York City, it is also sold as a liquid in small shaker bottles; in Phoenix, six drug-related deaths occured in 1999 were related to PCP abuse. Psilocybin mushrooms ("shrooms") and mescaline are common among adolescents and young adults in Boston. Peyote is readily available in Phoenix. In 1999, Texas poison centers reported calls involving the hallucinogenic plants, morning glories.

Information relased by the National Institute on Drug Abuse

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