Citation

Griffiths C. Health Stat. Q. 2004; (21): 59-66.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Great Britain Office for National Statistics)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15615152

Abstract

In 1999, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) developed a database to facilitate research into deaths related to drug poisoning and to aid the identifi cation of specific substances involved in these deaths. The database currently contains data on all deaths on the annual occurrence data files for England and Wales between 1993 and 2002 where the underlying cause of death is regarded as resulting from drug-related poisoning, according to the current National Statistics definition.

The database covers accidents and suicides involving drug poisoning, as well as poisonings due to drug abuse and drug dependence, but not other adverse effects of drugs. The range of substances it contains is wide, including legal and illegal drugs, prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications. It does not include poisoning with non-medicinal substances such as household, agricultural or industrial chemicals. For each death the database includes every mention of a substance recorded on the death certificate or mentioned by the coroner. Almost all deaths on the database had a coroner’s inquest. The underlying cause of death is recorded in addition to other information about the deceased.