Alcohol, cannabis and cocaine usage in patients with trauma injuries

Sera from 111 patients with trauma injuries, who presented to the Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E) University Hospital of the West Indies, during a 3 -month period, were screened for blood alcohol. Urine specimens were analys ed for metabolites of cannabis and cocaine Sixty-two per cent (62%) of pati ents were positive for at feast one substance and 20% for two or more. Posi tivity rates were as follows: cannabis (46%), alcohol (32%) with 71% of the se having blood alcohol levels (BAC) greater than 80 mg per decilitre; coca ine (6%). Substance usage was most prevalent in the third decade of life. T he patients who yielded a positive result were significantly younger than t hose who were negative. There was no significant difference in age or subst ance usage between the victims of interpersonal violence or road traffic ac cidents. In the group designated "other accidents': patients were significa ntly older and had a lower incidence of substance usage than the Other two groups. Cannabis was the most prevalent substance in all groups. Fifty per cent (50%) and fifty-five per cent (55%) of victims of road accidents and i nterpersonal violence, respectively, were positive for cannabis compared wi th 43% and 27% for alcohol respectively There was no significant difference in Hospital Stay or Injury Severity Score between substance users and non- users.