Citation

Simonsen KW, Hansen CA, Rollmann D, Kringsholm B, Muller IB, Johansen SS, Linnet K. Dan. Med. Bull. 2011; 58(8): A4307.

Affiliation

Retskemisk Afdeling, Retsmedicinsk Institut, Det Sundhedsvidenskabelige Fakultet, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. kirsten.wiese@forensic.ku.dk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Danish Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

21827724

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: We investigated fatal poisonings among drug addicts in 2007. The cause of death, abuse pattern and geographic differences are presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All drug-related deaths examined at the three forensic medicine institutes in Denmark in 2007 were evaluated. RESULTS: The number of drug-related deaths in 2007 was 226. Methadone deaths had increased since 1997 while heroin/morphine deaths decreased. In earlier studies, very few deaths from central stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines occurred (1-1.5%), but in 2007 6% of the deaths were caused by these drugs. Multiple drug use was common. Heroin/morphine, cocaine, amphetamine, cannabis, methadone, benzodiazepines and alcohol were included in the poly-drug use. CONCLUSION: This investigation shows stabilization in the number of fatal poisonings in drug addicts. Geographic differences were observed. Methadone was the most frequent cause of fatal poisoning and there was a continuous decrease in heroin/morphine deaths. Fatal deaths from cocaine and amphetamine have increased considerably. Multiple drug use was common. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Language: en