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An exploratory study of information sources and key findings on UK cocaine-related deaths.
- Source :
- Journal of Psychopharmacology; Aug2017, Vol. 31 Issue 8, p996-1014, 19p
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Cocaine-related deaths have increased since the early 1990s in Europe, including the UK. Being multi-factorial, they are difficult to define, detect and record. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction commissioned research to: describe trends reported to Special Mortality Registries and General Mortality Registers; provide demographic and drug-use characteristic information of cases; and establish how deaths are identified and classified. A questionnaire was developed and piloted amongst all European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction Focal Point experts/Special Mortality Registries: 19 (63%) responded; nine countries provided aggregated data. UK General Mortality Registers use cause of death and toxicology to identify cocaine-related deaths. Categorisation is based on International Classification of Diseases codes. Special Mortality Registries use toxicology, autopsy, evidence and cause of death. The cocaine metabolites commonly screened for are: benzoylecgonine, ecgonine methyl ester, cocaethylene and ecgonine. The 2000s saw a generally accelerating upward trend in cases, followed by a decline in 2009. The UK recorded 2700-2900 deaths during 1998-2012. UK Special Mortality Registry data (2005-2009) indicate: 25-44 year-olds account for 74% of deaths; mean age=34 (range 15-81) years; 84% male. Cocaine overdoses account for two-thirds of cases; cocaine alone being mentioned/implicated in 23% in the UK. Opioids are involved in most (58%) cocaine overdose cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 02698811
- Volume :
- 31
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Psychopharmacology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 124458337
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881117711923