A survey of 62 drug deaths in Glasgow showed a wider age range than expected (16-49), a high male to female ratio (44:18) and, where mode of employment had been recorded, a high degree of unemployment (91%). The majority of deaths occurred near centres of known supply. Although a number occurred in the family home, a large proportion were not at the place of residence. In only two cases was morphine detected alone. The majority of the deaths were from combinations of drugs, primarily with benzodiazepines.