1. Drug-related death in Denmark in 2007.
- Author
-
Simonsen KW, Hansen AC, Rollmann D, Kringsholm B, Müller IB, Johansen SS, and Linnet K
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Distribution, Amphetamines poisoning, Denmark epidemiology, Female, Heroin poisoning, Humans, Male, Methadone poisoning, Middle Aged, Morphine poisoning, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Young Adult, Narcotics poisoning, Substance-Related Disorders mortality
- 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.
- Published
- 2011