| Data collected through the 1995 Substance Abuse Need for Treatment among Arrestees (SANTA) study illustrated a significant need for treatment among Baltimore City arrestees. To update the findings from 1995, a new collection was conducted in Baltimore City between February 26 and March 30, 2001. In addition to a diagnostic interview, a urine specimen was collected and screened for 10 drugs of abuse. Nearly three-quarters of the sample tested positive for at least one drug. Fifty-seven percent of the females and 36% of the males tested positive for cocaine, while 49% of the females and more than one-third of the males tested positive for opiates. Forty-nine percent of the males and 53% of the females met the clinical criteria for current dependence and/or abuse and were therefore in need of alcohol or other drug (AOD) treatment. While about one-half of the arrestees currently needed treatment, this is a minimal estimate given the reliance of the diagnostic interview on self-reported symptoms. |
Updated 05/20/2006