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.