Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) Profiles and Preliminary 2020 Data Released

Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) topic-specific profiles developed by Westat have been released along with an introductory preliminary data review. Two profiles focusing specifically on weekly patterns before and during the early COVID-19 response present data on substance- and alcohol-related emergency department visits.

DAWN, a nationwide public health surveillance system, identifies drugs and drug combinations involved in emergency department visits. It also provides necessary information related to these visits that communities can use to target and deploy interventions.

DAWN is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ). Westat supports SAMHSA in its ongoing mission to reduce the impact of substance misuse and mental illness on America’s communities through our work in data collection and dissemination.

Beginning in 2018, Westat developed the DAWN surveillance system and secured hospital participation. We conduct ongoing data abstraction and quality control activities, and support SAMHSA in data analysis and dissemination.