SUBSTANCE USE IN AN INNER-CITY FAMILY-PLANNING POPULATION

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of drug and alcohol use in an i nner-city family planning population and to identify variables associa ted with a positive urine screen. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted blind uri ne drug and alcohol screening in 309 women attending an inner-city hos pital family planning clinic. RESULTS: The prevalence of a positive ur ine drug and/or alcohol screen was 15.5% (48/309). Specific substance positivity rates were: marijuana 9.4%, cocaine 4.9%, alcohol 1.3%, ben zodiazepines 1.0%, opiates 2.0% and amphetamines 0.3%. After controlli ng for other independent variables, increased age was the only predict or of having a positive drug and/or alcohol sn een, while increased ag e and a history of a sexually transmitted disease predicted the use of drugs other than marijuana or alcohol alone. CONCLUSION Our findings support the concept that substance use histories and urine drug screen ing should be considered in patients seeking family planning services. This strategy can lead to counseling and treatment for a population s eeking preventive care that might otherwise not be identified.