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.