Drug Abuse Warning Network US (DAWN-NS-1994)
HealthData.Gov
Updated Oct 29, 2026
About this dataset
<p>The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) survey is designed to<br />
capture data on emergency department (ED) episodes that are induced by<br />
or related to the use of an illicit, prescription, or over-the-counter<br />
drug. For purposes of this collection, a drug "episode" is an ED visit<br />
that was induced by or related to the use of an illegal drug or the<br />
nonmedical use of a legal drug for patients aged six years and<br />
older. A drug "mention" refers to a substance that was mentioned<br />
during a drug-related ED episode. Because up to four drugs can be<br />
reported for each drug abuse episode, there are more mentions than<br />
episodes in the data. Individual persons may also be included more<br />
than once in the data. Within each facility participating in DAWN, a<br />
designated reporter, usually a member of the emergency department or<br />
medical records staff, was responsible for identifying drug-related<br />
episodes and recording and submitting data on each case. An episode<br />
report was submitted for each patient visiting a DAWN emergency<br />
department whose presenting problem(s) was/were related to their own<br />
drug use. DAWN produces estimates of drug-related emergency department<br />
visits for 50 specific drugs, drug categories, or combinations of<br />
drugs, including the following: acetaminophen, alcohol in combination<br />
with other drugs, alprazolam, amitriptyline, amphetamines, aspirin,<br />
cocaine, codeine, diazepam, diphenhydramine, fluoxetine,<br />
heroin/morphine, inhalants/solvents/aerosols, LSD, lorazepam,<br />
marijuana/hashish, methadone, methamphetamine, and PCP/PCP in<br />
combination with other drugs. The use of alcohol alone is not<br />
reported. The route of administration and form of drug used (e.g.,<br />
powder, tablet, liquid) are included for each drug. Data collected for<br />
DAWN also include drug use motive and total drug mentions in the<br />
episode, as well as race, age, patient disposition, reason for ED<br />
visit, and day of the week, quarter, and year of episode.This study has 1 Data Set.</p>
Data and resources (1)
- HTML
https://datafiles.samhsa.gov/study/drug-abuse-warning-network-us-dawn-ns-1994-nid13570
Drug Abuse Warning Network US (DAWN-NS-1994)
Modified Apr 29, 2026