EMERGENCIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSUMPTI ON OF DESIGN DRUGS, HALLUCINOGENS AND AMPHETAMINES ATTENDED AT 15 SPANISH HOSPITALS DURING 1994

The clinical records of patients attended at emergency hospitals in fi fteen hospitals in Madrid, Valencia and Gran Canaria during 1994 were retrospectively analyzed. Seventy-three emergencies related to the con sumption of design drugs, hallucinogens or amphetamines (100 times low er than because of opiates or cocaine) were recorded. Apart from the r esponsible drug for the emergency visit, in most cases the usual consu mption of other substances was mentioned. Acute psychopathological rea ctions predominated. Three patients were admitted and five were derive d to other hospitals; the remaining patients improved and were dischar ged. The number of emergencies on account of these drugs is relatively low, with a proportion of less than one in 10,000 emergencies attende d in these areas and might not radically change if the current predomi nant consumption pattern is maintained.