Data & Research
Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get information about substance abuse in the State of Maine?

The Office of Substance Abuse's Information and Resource Center (IRC) would be a good first contact for information on substance abuse both in Maine and in the US. If the data request is information that the Data and Research Team can provide you, the IRC will refer you and/or your request on to a Data & Research team member.

2. Does OSA collect data on the number of people in Maine who have an alcohol or drug-related problem?

Not on an ongoing bases. However, OSA uses several sources of information to estimate substance abuse treatment need. 1) The Treatment Data System (TDS) , collects non-identifying information on clients who receive treatment for alcohol and other substance use problems. The system collects information on approximately 90% of clients treated in Maine. 2) The 2004 General Population Drug and Alcohol Use Survey was a one-time telephone survey of 4000 residents of Maine aged 18-65, that assesses substance use and its affects on workplace performance. 3) On even numbered years between 2000 and 2008, the Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Survey (MYDAUS) asked youth in grades 6-12 about their substance use, related behaviors and the risk and protective factors that influence substance use or non-use. In 2009, the MYDAUS will be replaced by the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey which covers a broader range of topics, including nutrition and intentional/unintentional injuries. 4) The federal agency, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) conducts the annual, National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) , which provides state-level information about substance use and treatment needs. However, in Maine, it takes several years to accumulate enough data for reliable analysis, resulting in reports that are somewhat dated.

MYDAUS Frequently Asked Questions

TDS Frequently Asked Questions

PMP Frequently Asked Questions