More than three out of every four men arrested in Sacramento in 2010 tested positive for recent drug use, according to a federal survey.
The 2010 Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Annual Report, released this week by the Office of National Drug Control Policy, states that 80 percent of men arrested last year in the city tested positive for at least one drug at the time of their arrest, up from 68 percent in 2009.
More than one-third of men arrested tested positive for multiple drugs or medications, including marijuana, cocaine and other drugs, according to the report.
In each of 10 cities surveyed nationwide, more than half of adult males arrested in 2010 tested positive for drug use, according to the report. Chicago reportedly had the highest rate at 83 percent.
"These findings illustrate why we must approach our nation's drug problem as a public health and safety problem," said Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, in a written statement. "Drug addiction is too often the root of crime in our communities."
Data for each city was collected from a sample drawn from all men arrested for crimes ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, through voluntary interviews and drug tests conducted within 48 hours of arrest, according to an Office of National Drug Control Policy news release.
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