The health care burden of illicit synthetic drug use

The Minnesota Department of Health conducted an exploratory epidemiologic investigation into the health care burden of illicit synthetic drug (ISD) use in Duluth, Minnesota. Staff reviewed medical records of 78 patients with suspected ISD use who were treated in emergency departments at two Duluth-area hospitals from January through September 2013. The analysis showed use of ISDs has the potential to create a significant burden on the health care system and public services, and that effective prevention and response strategies need to be developed. In this podcast, study authors Mark Kinde, Unit Leader for the Injury and Violence Prevention Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health, Ruth Lynfield, State Epidemiologist and Medical Director for the Minnesota Department of Health, and Sarah Dugan, Research Analyst, Injury and Violence Prevention Unit, Minnesota Department of Health, discuss the work and its findings. Read the full paper here:

http://www.minnesotamedicine.com/Portals/mnmed/February%202014/Clinical_Dugan_0214.pdf