Drug Abuse by Anesthesia Personnel

Abstract

Anesthesia personnel of 15 southeastern academic departments reported significantly less use of marijuana and cocaine among their staffs than did a class of medical students describing their own use. The chairmen reported that between 1% and 2% of anesthesia personnel came to their attention because of drug or alcohol abuse. Of 44 persons known to abuse drugs or alcohol, seven were reported to have died secondary to abuse.