ILLICIT DRUG-USE BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES - INSIGHTS FROM THE NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ON DRUG-ABUSE

Objectives. This study sought to evaluate the association of drug use with disability in a representative sample of the US household populat ion. Methods. The use of illicit drugs and alcohol reported by respond ents in the 1991 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse who identifie d themselves as ''disabled, unable to work'' was compared with respond ents without disabilities. Results. Among younger adults (18-24 years) , persons with diabilities were more likely than those without disabil ities to report that they had used heroin (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 6.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.35, 35.1) or crack cocaine (OR = 6.38; 95% CI = 1.05, 38.6). Among older adults (35 years and older); persons with disabilities were more likely to report the use of sedat ives (OR = 2.46; 95% CI = 1.21, 4.94) or tranquilizers (OR 2.18; 95% C I 1.08; 4.42) not medically I prescribed. Conclusions. These results s uggest that use of illicit drugs is a potentially serious problem amon g persons with disabilities and requires both research and clinical-at tention.