Pubdate: Sun, 18 Mar 2001
Source: News-Times, The (CT)
Copyright: 2001 The News-Times
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Author: Associated Press

STUDY: MORE THAN A THIRD OF YOUNG ADULTS IN STATE HAVE DRINKING PROBLEM

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ More than a third of Connecticut's young adults have 
problems with alcohol abuse, according to a recent survey by the state 
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The study, to be 
released next week, also found that residents of wealthy towns had similar 
drug use habits as those in the inner city.

The six-year study of substance abuse patterns of criminals, high school 
students, welfare recipients and the general population is the first of its 
kind in Connecticut. Officials will try to use the information to determine 
how money for treating drug and alcohol problems is allocated statewide.

"I don't see these studies as being revolutionary," said Alfred P. 
Bidorini, director of program analysis, coordination and support for the 
addiction services department. "They're building on a body of knowledge and 
may be changing some assumptions regarding who needs treatment."

The study included a telephone survey of 6,866 adults in Connecticut.

According to the report, 36.8 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 said they had 
alcohol abuse problems that put them at risk of accidents, alcoholism and 
social and health problems. Young adults had the highest rate of alcohol 
problems.

A large portion _ 22.1 percent _ of state residents 30 to 39 said they also 
have trouble with alcohol abuse.

Bidorini said he was especially surprised with the finding that residents 
of wealthy towns use drugs nearly as much as inner city residents.

Seven percent of adults in the state's wealthiest towns _ including 
Greenwich and Darien _ were deemed to need treatment for abuse of any 
substance, compared with 9 percent in the poorest cities in Connecticut.

In the wealthy towns, 6.6 percent of residents had problems with alcohol, 
while 8.4 percent of city residents had alcohol abuse problems.

About 3.8 percent of wealthy town residents needed treatment for illegal 
drugs, compared to 4.6 of city residents. Illegal drugs include heroin, 
cocaine and marijuana.

"I think this is very telling; there is a need for treatment in all 
communities, it's not just the inner city," Bidorini said.

But the information could be misleading because it relies on the honesty of 
the survey participants, Bidorini said. And drug abusers are less likely to 
have telephones, he said.

The study also found that adolescents in the suburbs have far fewer 
problems with alcohol and drug abuse than their city counterparts, in 
contrast to the adults.

And about 60 percent of people arrested on any charge need substance abuse 
treatment, the report says.

Officials with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services plan 
to present information from the report Thursday to members of 15 regional 
action councils. The councils prepare plans to treat substance abuse 
problems in their geographic areas.
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