| |
Substance Abuse
A. ISSUE SUMMARY
Vision Statement: "Travis County will reduce substance abuse"
Strategies for Building a Stronger Community: A Community Guide
The key findings regarding substance abuse outcomes from the CAN Community Guide are set forth below.
Drug and Alcohol Problems in Central Texas
Substance abuse, whether it involves alcohol, illicit drugs, or tobacco, both creates and aggravates problems in the community.
- A 1996 survey of alcohol and drug use reported that Central Texas had the highest incidence of both alcohol and drug abuse in Texas.
- Alcohol and drug abuse cost the community dearly, not only in direct health care costs, but also in lost earnings from reduced productivity and longevity and increased crime and health problems.
- Thirty percent of the arrests made by Austin police in 1995 resulted directly from alcohol or drug use. Many more arrests involved individuals who were seeking the money to obtain drugs.
- Seventy-five percent of individuals arrested in Travis County are either under the influence of drugs or committing crimes to obtain drugs. In 1996, over thirty-three percent of the adults referred to TCADA funded treatment facilities were from the criminal justice system.
- Based on 1996 demographics, seventy six million Americans, about 43% of the U.S. population (266,420 Travis County residents), have experienced alcoholism in the family. There are an estimated 26.8 million children of alcoholics in the United States. Preliminary research suggests that over 11 million (41%) are under the age of 18.
- Alcohol use is a major cause of motor vehicle and boating accidents. Drunk drivers can destroy not only their own lives but the lives and families of the innocent people whom they hurt and kill.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Related Problems Among Youth
- 24% of AISD students report using an illegal drug in the last 30 days (18% in Central Texas).
- 40% of AISD students report using alcohol in the last 30 days (37% statewide).
- More than 50% of all 9th grade AISD students report having used marijuana in their lifetime.
- More than 33% of AISD seniors report using tobacco products in the last 30 days.
- Alcohol was the most commonly used substance across all grade levels, based on a 1997 survey of AISD students.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse and Related Problems Among Adults
- About 27% of persons ages 15 to 54 (approximately 105,500 Travis County residents) will experience substance abuse/ dependence in their lifetime.
- Substance abuse and mental disorders are often linked together. About 35% of the population, aged 15 to 54 years, have had a mental disorder in their lifetime; 39% of these people also had substance abuse/dependence. Almost 50% of persons ages 15 to 54 who had substance/abuse dependence in their lifetime also had a mental disorder.
- Five to ten percent of older adults abuse alcohol or medications and between 20% to 30% of elderly psychiatric clients have problems with alcohol use.
- About 39% of persons treated for drug abuse with family incomes below $10,000 lack health insurance.
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B. BACKGROUND AND INFLUENCING FACTORS
Effective prevention, intervention, and treatment services minimize the ill effects of substance abuse. However, changes in the health and human services arena have reduced the availability of these programs, and managed care restrictions have also limited access. In 1995, Funding from the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse for Travis County substance prevention and treatment was reduced by 30%.
In view of the critical nature of the substance abuse problem in Travis County, CAN agreed to sponsor a committee composed of members of the Task Force and other representatives to examine existing programs, identify problems, and develop solutions. As a result, the CAN Substance Abuse Planning Partnership (SAPP) was established. SAPP's main goal is to plan for a client-focused continuum of care that includes prevention, assessment, intervention, detoxification, treatment, and continuing care services that are
- delivered holistically so that the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of individuals and families are addressed;
- culturally and linguistically appropriate;
- age appropriate;
- family focused;
- consumer driven (with special needs of clients and families considered); and,
- respectful of clients rights and capacities.
In addition to the planning activities of the SAPP the providers of publicly funded substance abuse treatment and prevention services formed the Austin Chemical Dependency Alliance in l996. The Alliance aims to provide effective, affordable care for those with chemical dependencies. The Alliance has been selected by TCADA to implement a substance abuse service network in part of Region 7 and is working toward a January 1, 1999 startup date for this initiative.
Importance to the Community
The social cost of substance abuse is substantial. Substance abuse is associated with many other social pathologies including crimes, emergency room admissions, domestic violence, child abuse, disabilities, homelessness, truancy and school dropout rates, illness, death, motor vehicle accidents, problem births, decreased worker productivity and related costs to local industry, HIV/AIDS cases, psychiatric admissions, and economic viability of neighborhoods. In 1990 alone, alcohol and dug problems nationwide cost an estimated 166 billion dollars. About 37% of these costs were related to crime and property damage; 27% to lost productivity from injury or illness; 22% to loss of productivity due to premature death; 8% to health care costs for treatment and their medical consequences; and 5% to AIDS and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. (SAMHSA, 1995, Statistics Sourcebook.)
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C. OUTCOMES AND KEY INDICATORS
Outcomes selected from the Community Guide and discussed in this chapter are
- decreased rate of persons reporting alcohol, tobacco, and other drug abuse;
- increased rate of persons receiving effective substance abuse treatment;
- increased productivity of substance abusers;
- decreased health problems related to substance abuse, such as vehicular accidents, babies prenatally exposed to substances, etc.;
- decreased rate of criminal charges or arrests linked to substance use; and,
- decreased rate of persons relapsing after completion of treatment;
OUTCOME: Decreased rate of persons reporting alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use
Crime, unstable employment, broken homes, and a generally poor quality of life have been related to drug abuse in late adolescence and young adulthood (Farrington, 1990).T
Figure 4.11.1
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use Among AISD Students within the Last 30 Days
|
Grade
|
Alcohol
|
Tobacco
|
Drug
|
|
---
|
96
|
97
|
96
|
97
|
96
|
97
|
|
7
|
22%
|
31%
|
17%
|
20%
|
13%
|
17%
|
|
8
|
36%
|
37%
|
24%
|
29%
|
21%
|
23%
|
|
9
|
44%
|
45%
|
30%
|
30%
|
31%
|
31%
|
|
10
|
44%
|
49%
|
27%
|
26%
|
24%
|
22%
|
|
11
|
47%
|
46%
|
31%
|
26%
|
25%
|
28%
|
|
12
|
58%
|
56%
|
36%
|
32%
|
28%
|
29%
|
Source: Austin Independent School District, Texas School Survey of Drug and Alcohol 1996 and 1997.
Alcohol is the most commonly used substance across all grade levels in Austin ISD and beer the most commonly abused alcoholic beverage. Tobacco is the second most used substance in all grades; other drugs are third. In 1997, 56% of 12 graders surveyed had used alcohol in the last 30 days, 32% had used tobacco, and 29% had used illicit drugs during that time period.
Figure 4.11.2
Alcohol Consumption Among AISD Students in the Last 30 Days
|
SY93 |
SY94 |
SY95 |
SY96 |
SY97 |
| Gender |
|
|
|
|
|
| Male |
40% |
42% |
39% |
38% |
41% |
| Female |
37% |
38% |
39% |
42% |
40% |
| Ethnicity |
|
|
|
|
|
| African American |
37% |
31% |
32% |
30% |
32% |
| Hispanic |
48% |
40% |
42% |
43% |
42% |
| White |
49% |
44% |
42% |
44% |
43% |
| Asian/Indian |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
29% |
| Multiracial |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
45% |
| Grade |
|
|
|
|
|
| 7th |
25% |
24% |
26% |
22% |
31% |
| 8th |
38% |
33% |
38% |
36% |
37% |
| 9th |
41% |
37% |
47% |
44% |
45% |
| 10th |
44% |
44% |
44% |
44% |
49% |
| 11th |
55% |
50% |
54% |
47% |
46% |
| 12th |
52% |
59% |
54% |
58% |
56% |
Source: Austin Independent School District, Department of Accountability, Student Services and Research, Office of Program Evaluation, October, 1997 Report, "Planning: A comprehensive approach to safe and drug free schools and communities, Title IV Evaluation Report, 1996-1997".
Figure 4.11.3
Drug Use Among AISD Students in the Last 30 Days
|
SY93
|
SY94
|
SY95
|
SY96
|
SY97
|
| Gender |
|
|
|
|
|
| Male |
21% |
22% |
27% |
26% |
25% |
| Female |
16% |
17% |
19% |
22% |
20% |
| Ethnicity |
|
|
|
|
|
| African American |
9% |
17% |
18% |
20% |
20% |
| Hispanic |
23% |
22% |
25% |
28% |
26% |
| White |
28% |
18% |
24% |
23% |
21% |
| Asian/Indian |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Multiracial |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
| Grade |
|
|
|
|
|
| 7th |
14% |
11% |
17% |
13% |
17% |
| 8th |
19% |
17% |
25% |
21% |
23% |
| 9th |
17% |
22% |
25% |
31% |
31% |
| 10th |
22% |
20% |
25% |
24% |
22% |
| 11th |
23% |
22% |
31% |
25% |
28% |
| 12th |
22% |
24% |
29% |
28% |
29% |
Source: Austin Independent School District, Department of Accountability, Student Services and Research, Office of Program Evaluation, October, 1997 Report, "Planning: A comprehensive approach to safe and drug free schools and communities,
Title IV Evaluation Report, 1996-1997".
Figure 4.11.4
Marijuana Use Among AISD Students in the Past 30 Days
|
1994
|
1995
|
1996
|
| Grade 4 |
1%
|
1%
|
1%
|
| Grade 5 |
2%
|
2%
|
2%
|
| Grade 6 |
6%
|
10%
|
9%
|
| Grade 7 |
13%
|
11%
|
16%
|
| Grade 8 |
21%
|
20%
|
22%
|
| Grade 9 |
23%
|
30%
|
30%
|
| Grade 10 |
22%
|
23%
|
22%
|
| Grade 11 |
29%
|
24%
|
28%
|
| Grade 12 |
26%
|
26%
|
27%
|
Source: Austin Independent School District, Department of Accountability, Student Services and Research, Office of Program Evaluation, October, 1997 Report, "Planning: A comprehensive approach to safe and drug free schools and communities, Title IV Evaluation Report, 1996-1997".
Figure 4.11.5
Lifetime Marijuana Use Among AISD Students
|
1994
|
1995
|
1996
|
| Grade 4 |
3%
|
2%
|
2%
|
| Grade 5 |
4%
|
3%
|
3%
|
| Grade 6 |
10%
|
13%
|
16%
|
| Grade 7 |
19%
|
23%
|
27%
|
| Grade 8 |
28%
|
37%
|
36%
|
| Grade 9 |
40%
|
51%
|
51%
|
| Grade 10 |
38%
|
44%
|
42%
|
| Grade 11 |
48%
|
51%
|
40%
|
| Grade 12 |
46%
|
54%
|
50%
|
Source: Austin Independent School District, Department of Accountability, Student Services and Research, Office of Program Evaluation, October, 1997 Report, "Planning: A comprehensive approach to safe and drug free schools and communities,
Title IV Evaluation Report, 1996-1997".
Over one fourth of 12th graders used marijuana in the month prior to the survey. The use of marijuana is more frequent among grades 9-12. The highest use was the 9th grade. Thirty percent of that population reported using marijuana in the past 30 days.
Between 40 and 50% of High School students report consuming marijuana at some point in their lifetime. More than 50% of ninth graders have consumed marijuana at some point in their lives.
According to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, adolescents who feel loved and nurtured are far less likely to abuse alcohol and drugs. The study confirms the importance of parental care. The study also found that certain factors, other than a lack of nurturance, can lead to the use of alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes. For example, teens were more likely to engage in these behaviors if they had jobs working 20 or more hours a week, regardless of their families' economic status. Children are also at risk if they repeat a grade in school, are attracted to persons of the same sex, or believe that they may face an early death because of health, violence, or other reasons.
Figure 4.11.6
Past Year Alcohol and Drug Use Among Adults, 1996
Selected Metropolitan Areas
Source: Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Figure 4.11.6 shows that Austin has the largest percentage of adults who use alcohol, drugs, or illicit drugs when compared with other metropolitan areas in the state of Texas.
Figure 4.11.7
Prevalence of Alcohol and Drug Problems in Texas Adults
| |
Alcohol Problems
|
Drug Problems
|
| Region 1 |
14.9%
|
2.1%
|
| Region 2 |
11.9%
|
1.9%
|
| Region 3 |
17.0%
|
5.6%
|
| Region4 |
15.4%
|
2.7%
|
| Region 5 |
11.1%
|
3.5%
|
| Region 6 |
17.7%
|
3.8%
|
| Region 7 |
20.6%
|
6.0%
|
| Region 8 |
17.2%
|
4.3%
|
| Region 9 |
16.4%
|
3.3%
|
| Region 10 |
15.3%
|
2.4%
|
| Region 11 |
14.8%
|
1.7%
|
Source Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse.
As Figure 4.11.7 illustrates, approximately 21% of adults surveyed in the Central Texas Region including Waco, Austin, Bryan College Station, Killeen and Temple had an alcohol problem (14.2% of the population abused alcohol and 6.4% were dependent). Furthermore, 6.0% had a problem with drugs other than alcohol (3.5% abused and 2.6% were dependent on drugs).
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OUTCOME: Increased rate of persons receiving effective substance abuse treatment
Figure 4.11.8
Travis County Demographics in 1996
| |
Total Population
|
Adults (18 and up) Presenting at Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
|
Youths (0 to 17) Presenting at Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
|
| Total Population |
619,582
|
-
|
-
|
| Adult (18 and Up) |
453,671
|
2,806
|
-
|
| Youth (0 to 17) |
165,911
|
-
|
284
|
| Gender (percent) |
|
|
|
| Male |
50%
|
57.4%
|
64.1%
|
| Female |
50%
|
42.6%
|
36.9%
|
| Ethnicity (percent) |
|
|
|
| White |
61%
|
54.4%
|
34.9%
|
| African American |
11%
|
21.0%
|
15.9%
|
| Hispanic |
24%
|
23.3%
|
48.9%
|
| Other |
4%
|
-
|
-
|
Source: TCADA, Texas County Databook of Substance Related Statistics, 1996.
Figure 4.11.9
Travis County Youth (0 to 17) Presenting at Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
| |
1995
|
1996
|
| Average Age Upon Admission |
15
|
15
|
| Average Age of First Use |
12
|
13
|
| Percent First Admission |
90%
|
80%
|
| Average Lag Time Between First Use and Admission (in years) |
4
|
3
|
| Percent Referred From Criminal Justice |
73%
|
77%
|
| Percent Using Needles |
4%
|
2%
|
| Average Years of Education |
8.2
|
8.2
|
Source: TCADA, CODAP, 1995, 1996.
Figure 4.11.10
Travis County Adults (18 and Up) Presenting at Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
| |
1995
|
1996
|
| Average Age Upon Admission |
33 |
33 |
| Average Age of First Use |
19 |
19 |
| Average Lag Time Between First Use and Admission (in years) |
14 |
15 |
| Percent referred from Criminal Justice |
60% |
35.2% |
| Percent married |
18% |
18% |
| Percent using needles |
22% |
23% |
| Percent employed |
39% |
28% |
| Average years of education |
11.5 |
11.6 |
| Percent living with family |
48% |
60% |
| Percent homeless |
9% |
10% |
| Average annual income at admission |
$7,300 |
$6,697 |
Source: Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, CODAP 1995, 1996.
The overwhelming majority of referrals to TCADA-funded programs were for alcoholism. Cocaine addiction was the second most common reason, while opiate abuse was a distant third.
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OUTCOME: Increased productivity of substance abusers
- A study of 6,400 employees in an Employee Assistance Program showed that persons who abused alcohol were more likely to have attendance problems and accidents on and off the job. While only about 19% of persons without alcohol problems suffered absenteeism or lateness to the job, 34% of persons with alcohol problems had these attendance issues. (Blum, T. and Roman P., 1992, "A description of clients using employee assistance programs", Alcohol Health and Research World 16(2).)
- Morbidity costs, which reflect the reduction in productivity of workers with alcohol and drug disorders, accounted for $7.0 billion (41percent) of total substance abuse costs in 1994. (TCADA Research Publications, Fact Sheet, Economic Costs of Substance Abuse Costs in Texas: 1994.)
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OUTCOME: Decreased health problems related to substance abuse, such as vehicular accidents, babies prenatally exposed to substances, etc.
Substance abuse greatly aggravates other social problems, including the spread of the HIV virus, emergency room visits from motor vehicle accidents while under the influence of a substance, and disabilities resulting from babies prenatally exposed to substances.
Figure 4.11.11
Travis County Substance Related Deaths, Adults, Youth, Combined, 1994-1995
Source: Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Figure 4.11.11 presents Travis County data for 1994 and 1995. Statistics include both direct and indirect alcohol and drug mortalities. Deaths caused by alcohol consumption occur more often than deaths caused by drug use for both adults and youth.
- The estimated total economic costs of substance abuse in Texas rose from $12.6 billion in 1989 to $17.2 billion in 1994. (TCADA, Research Publications, FACT SHEET, Economic Costs of Substance Abuse in Texas:1994.)
- In 1990, TCADA estimated that approximately 2,940 of 14,464 (20%) of pregnant women in Travis County used legal or illegal substances during pregnancy. (Community Action Network, 1995, A snapshot of our community.) Nationally, an estimated 5.5% of all women delivering live births used illicit drugs during their pregnancy while 19% used alcohol and 20 % smoked cigarettes during pregnancy. (NIDA, 1996, National pregnancy and health survey.)
- In Texas each year, an estimated 600 children are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The lifetime health-related cost per child with FAS is estimated at $240,000. (TDH)
- Females within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice were almost four times as likely to report any illicit drug use in their lifetimes than females outside the criminal justice system, five times more likely to report lifetime use of inhalants, 14 times more likely to report lifetime use of cocaine, and 55 times more likely to have ever used crack. (TCADA, Lifetime substance use among female TDCJ-ID inmates.)
- In more than 40% of confirmed cases of child abuse by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (Child Protective Services), parental substance abuse was a contributing factor. (Child Protective Services, August 1995.)
- Nearly 30% of all AIDS cases reported in a 10 county area in 1995 were associated with intravenous (injecting) drug use; 93% of these cases are in Travis County. (1996 community HIV/AIDS needs assessment: A report and analysis of data and trends.)
- The Austin-Travis County Homeless Coalition estimates that there are 6,000 homeless in Travis County. (Austin Area Homeless Coalition, 1996). Over half of all single homeless adults are estimated to need substance abuse treatment. (ACCESS, ATCMHMR, 1997.)
- Approximately 36% of all fatal injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents in Travis County in 1995 were related to alcohol or other drug use. (Texas Department of Public Safety, 1996, 1995 Texas motor vehicle accidents in which alcohol and drugs were contributing factors by county.)
Figure 4.11.12
Substance-Related Motor Vehicle Accidents, Travis County, 1995-1996
|
Motor Vehicle Accidents Related to Alcohol
|
|
1995
|
1996
|
Change
|
| Number of fatal accidents |
24
|
25
|
1
|
| Number of all non-fatal accidents |
777
|
754
|
-23
|
| Total fatal and non-fatal accidents |
801
|
779
|
-22
|
|
Motor Vehicle Accidents Related to Drugs
|
|
1995
|
1996
|
Change
|
| Number of fatal accidents |
6
|
3
|
-3
|
| Number of all non-fatal accidents |
43
|
36
|
-7
|
| Total fatal and non-fatal accidents |
49
|
39
|
-10
|
Source: Texas Department of Public Safety, Analysis by Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Figure 4.11.12 shows that the total number of fatal and non-fatal motor vehicle accidents caused under the influence of alcohol or drugs has decreased from 1995 to 1996 despite rapid community growth which added more drivers to the areas streets and highways. Among motor vehicle accidents involving alcohol abuse, non-fatal accidents decreased by 23 incidents and fatal accidents increased by only one from 1995 to 1996. Drug related fatal accidents decreased by three from 1995 to 1996, while non-fatal accidents decreased by seven.
- Nationwide, illegal drugs and alcohol together account for 11.3% of preventable deaths. Nationally, 57% of deaths related to alcohol abuse involve cancer, stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, and other illnesses. Homicides and suicides comprise 19% of deaths related to excessive alcohol consumption. (Doyle, R., 1997, Deaths due to alcohol, Scientific American.)
- There were 396 deaths directly or indirectly related to alcohol or other drug use in Travis County in 1994.(TCADA, 1995 indicators of alcohol and drug abuse in Texas.)
- Tobacco use accounted for 38% of preventable deaths nationwide in 1990. (McGinnis and Foege, 1993, Actual causes of death in the United States, JAMA, 270.) The smoking related death rate in Travis County was 284.9 per 100,000 in 1993. (TDH in CAN 1995 A snapshot of our community, 6.13.)
- There were 279,100 drug-related hospital emergency department episodes nationwide in the first 6 months of 1995, an increase of ten percent from 1994. (SAMHSA, 1997, Feb. 27, Drug abuse warning network survey.)
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OUTCOME: Decreased rate of criminal charges or arrests linked to substance use
The latest available statistics from the Austin Police Department (1995) for the number of arrests related to substance abuse are shown in the following tables. Note: The tables do not show arrests for other crimes in which the suspect was under the influence of a substance at the time the crime was committed.
Figure 4.11.13
Austin Arrests Related to Controlled Substances, 1995
|
Type of Violation
|
Number
|
Percent
|
| Possession of Controlled Substance |
1,647
|
55%
|
| Possession of Marijuana |
1,176
|
39%
|
| Delivery of Controlled Substance |
136
|
5%
|
| Delivery of Marijuana |
14
|
<1%
|
| Inhalant Abuse |
28
|
1%
|
| Driving under the Influence of Drugs |
13
|
<1%
|
| Total Violations Related to Drugs |
3,014
|
100%
|
Source: Austin Police Special Investigation and Organized Crime Division, March 97.
Figure 4.11.14
Austin Arrests Related to Alcohol, 1995
|
Type of Violation
|
Number
|
Percent
|
| Public Intoxication |
3,050
|
55%
|
| Driving While Intoxicated |
2,082
|
38%
|
| Other Liquor Violations |
366
|
7%
|
| Total Violations Related to Alcohol |
5,498
|
100%
|
Source: Austin Police Special Investigation and Organized Crime Division, March 97.
Figure 4.11.15
Arrests Related to Controlled Substances , 1995
|
Type of Violation
|
Number
|
Percent of all Arrests
|
| Violations Related to Alcohol |
5,498
|
19.5%
|
| Violations Related to Drugs |
3,014
|
10.7%
|
| Total Arrests Related to Substance Use |
8,512
|
30.1%
|
| Total Arrests For All Offenses |
28,246
|
|
Note: Percentages do not consider persons arrested for other offenses that were intoxicated at the time. The total figure includes multiple charges of suspects arrested for violations in two or more categories.
Source: Austin Police Special Investigation and Organized Crime Division, March 97.
Arrests related to the use of drugs accounted for 10.7 percent of the total in 1995. Arrests related to the use of alcohol accounted for 19.5 percent of all arrests in 1995. Arrests directly attributable to substance use accounted for a full 30.1 percent of all arrests in 1995. These figures do not include arrests for property crimes committed in an effort to obtain drugs, nor do they include arrests in which an individual's substance abuse motivates him or her to commit a crime. If effective drug and/or alcohol treatment were available to all of the individuals arrested for substance use, crime could drop as much as 30 percent. This would allow police to focus on other types of crime and increase the safety of the city, while reducing the costs of incarcerating individuals arrested for substance use.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) collects data on Texas arrests for alcohol, drug and violent crimes committed in Texas. DWI, liquor law violations, drug possession, and other related violations are recorded for the Texas population at large by county. The DPS data is not presented in this report for two main reasons: 1) State figures tend to exclude cases within cities and concentrate on highways and intercity roads; 2) DPS statistics show arrests that are not comparable to those compiled by Austin Police Department.
Figure 4.11.16
TCADA Admissions - Travis County Youth Statistics 1996
|
All Drugs
|
Heroin
|
Alcohol
|
Cocaine
|
Marijuana/ Hash
|
Inhalants
|
Ecstasy
|
| Total Admissions |
282
|
***
|
43
|
23
|
193
|
13
|
***
|
| % of all Admissions |
100%
|
***
|
15%
|
8%
|
68%
|
***
|
***
|
| % Juvenile Justice System Referred |
77%
|
***
|
84%
|
39%
|
82%
|
46%
|
***
|
*** Where the number of admissions is less than 4, the data has been removed to protect the identities of those in treatment.
Source: Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Over three fourths of TCADA-funded program youth admissions were referred from the criminal justice system. The large number of criminal justice referrals makes it difficult for non-criminal justice addicts and alcoholics to obtain treatment before they get into trouble with the law.
For youth, marijuana use was the most common reason for referral, followed by alcoholism and cocaine use.
Figure 4.11.17
TCADA-Funded Program Admissions - Travis County Adult Statistics 1996
|
All Drugs
|
Opiates
|
Alcohol
|
Amphet.
|
Cocaine
|
Marijuana/ Hash
|
Inhal.
|
Ecstasy
|
Hallucin.
|
Depress.
|
| Total Admissions |
2,808
|
401
|
1,286
|
49
|
835
|
215
|
***
|
5
|
9
|
***
|
| % Arrested |
31%
|
23%
|
37%
|
24%
|
25%
|
33%
|
***
|
60%
|
0%
|
22%
|
| % Criminal Justice Referred |
35%
|
19%
|
39%
|
33%
|
32%
|
55%
|
***
|
40%
|
33%
|
11%
|
| % of County Admissions |
100%
|
14%
|
46%
|
2%
|
30%
|
8%
|
***
|
0%
|
0%
|
0%
|
*** Where the number of admissions is less than 4, the data has been removed to protect the identities of those in treatment.
Source: Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Over one third of adult admissions referred to TCADA- funded programs were referred from the criminal justice system. Again, this limits the number of treatment slots available to non-criminals and makes it difficult for individuals to get treatment before they become a criminal justice problem.
- Females within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice were almost four times as likely to report any illicit drug use in their lifetimes as females outside the criminal justice system, five times more likely to report lifetime use of inhalants, 14 times more likely to report lifetime use of cocaine, and 55 times more likely to have ever used crack. (TCADA, lifetime substance use among female TDCJ-ID inmates.)
- The Austin Police Department reported that 30% of arrests were drug/alcohol related in 1995. About 19% of arrests involved public intoxication, driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, and other liquor violations. Another 11% involved inhalant abuse and possession or delivery of controlled substances/marijuana. (Austin Police Department, 1996, March.)
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OUTCOME: Decreased rate of persons relapsing after completion of treatment
Two indicators have been identified to evaluate the number of persons relapsing after completion of treatment: 1) the percentage of TCADA clients treated and contacted after treatment that report relapses, and 2) recidivism rates for youth from Travis County who were released from a secure program between 1992 and 1996 and who had previously received chemical dependency (CD) treatment.
Figure 4.11.18
Travis County Abstinence Data, Percent of Clients Treated and Contacted for Follow-up
Source: Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Abstinence rates for TCADA clients have gone up and the percentage of clients relapsing after treatment has decreased from 1997 to 1998.
Figure 4.11.19
Recidivism Rates for Re-arrests for Youth, Travis County and State of Texas
|
1996
|
| Rate of re-arrests for youth in Travis County who received CD treatment * |
70%
|
| Rate of re-arrests for youth in Texas who received CD treatment * |
59%
|
| Number of youth in Travis County who received CD treatment and were re-arrested within one year of that treatment |
37.5%
|
| Number of youth in Texas who received CD treatment and were re-arrested within one year of that treatment |
50%
|
* Total number of youth released between 1992 and 1996
Source: Texas Youth Commission.
Between 1992 and 1996, 70% of youth treated at the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) from Travis County were re-arrested. Approximately 38 percent of youth treated at TYC from Travis County were re-arrested witin one year of their treatment. The overall re-arrest rate for Travis County is higher than that for Texas in general. However, the 1996 rate of youth being re-arrested within one year of treatment is lower for Travis County than for Texas as a whole.
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D. OTHER KEY OUTCOMES AND STATUS
The Community Guide identified other outcomes that are not being addressed in this chapter. For most of these outcomes, the data does not currently exist or is not readily available. This does not mean that the outcomes are not meaningful or worthwhile. Mechanisms to collect the data will need to be researched and prioritized. These additional outcomes are listed below:
- increase service coordination to facilitate transition within the continuum of care.
- increase the effectiveness of the continuum of care
- increase effective family involvement in the continuum of care
- increase the rate of persons securing decent and affordable housing
- increase life skills training
- increase the rate of youth who benefit from effective training activities
- increase the number of responsible parents
- increase the number of children/youth and young parents with positive role models
- increase participation of community members in peer group activities that do not involve drugs
- increase community-wide education and awareness about substance use and abuse
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E. TERMS, CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS
Continuum of Care A comprehensive array of services that addresses the needs of an individual so that they may reach their maximum potential.
Substance Any legal or illegal material that may impair health or decision-making ability.
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