Trends in Treatment Admissions for Cocaine and Other Drug Abusers*

Abstract

This paper examines the proportion of drug abusers who report cocaine abuse as their primary problem at a Toronto clinic. In addition, characteristics of cocaine abusers are compared with those of alcohol and cannabis abusers. There is a significant increase in the proportion of drug abusers seeking treatment for cocaine use relative to other drugs, and a dramatic increase in their absolute numbers. Differences in age, marital status and socioeconomic status among cocaine, alcohol, and cannabis abusers are also noted.