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This is The Drug Report’s Friday Fact report - Surge in Hallucinogen-Related Health Emergency Department Visits

A study published last month in Addiction examined trends in substance-related emergency department visits in California from 2016 to 2022:

Report Highlights:

• 54% Increase in Hallucinogen-Related ED Visits: From 2016 to 2022, there was a significant rise in emergency department visits due to hallucinogens, from 2,260 to 3,476 visits. Hallucinogens are psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin, LSD, ketamine, ecstasy, and PCP.

• 15% Rise in Marijuana-Related ED Visits: Marijuana-associated ED visits saw a 15% increase, from 111,267 visits in 2016 to 139,479 in 2022.

• Significant Increase in Hospitalizations: Hallucinogen-related hospitalizations surged by 55%, from 2,556 in 2016 to 3,965 in 2022. There was not a statistically significant increase in marijuana-associated hospitalizations, though it experienced a modest increase.

The researchers explained, “these findings represent a concerning trend, especially given growing public perception that hallucinogens are low-risk and as rates of use continue to grow.”

The Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions (FDPS) is a national drug policy think/action tank whose vision is a world in which children and families thrive, substance use is prevented, and there is rapid access to quality treatment. From prevention and recovery to smart law enforcement and better international cooperation, we are working to change the face of drug policy. Too many people are losing their lives to addiction. It is time for big change.