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Washington State Needs Assessment Household Survey

Description: Since 1995, state and local decisions about the need for alcohol or drug abuse treatment have been based on estimates of need prepared by the Research and Data Analysis Division using data from a 1993-1994 statewide household survey of adults. These data have become outdated as they approach the 10-year mark due to changes in demographics, drug use patterns, and economic trends. The primary purpose of this study is to conduct a new household survey to obtain updated estimates of the need for treatment, to be used for state and county policy decisions and program planning. In addition, this study will develop a means to benchmark the results of the new survey to drug/alcohol use rates from the Washington State portion of the annual National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA). This will allow state estimates to be adjusted periodically in accordance with shifts in alcohol or drug use measured every year by the NHSDA. Benchmarking should provide an economical method for obtaining ongoing needs assessment information that can be used with confidence within Washington State.

We plan to interview 6,000 Washington State adults by telephone using Washington State University Social and Economic Sciences Research Center as the survey contractor. To support the development of synthetic estimates, particularly by county, we will oversample certain demographic groups with high levels of need based on stratifications by poverty, race/ethnicity, and age. To improve coverage we will translate the survey into six languages. The sampling method will include random digit dialing (RDD) together with oversamples for race/ethnicity by geographic concentration, surname, and American Indian client lists.

Related Reports:

• Profile of Substance Use and Need for Treatment Services in Washington State, December 1999 (4.32.1-40)
• Substance Use, Substance Use Disorders, and Need for Treatment among Washington State Adults, December 1996 (4.25.40)

Contact: David Mancuso Ph.D., Research Supervisor, telephone: (360)902-7557

 

  

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Modified: Friday February 29 2008

 

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