Overdose among heroin users in Sydney, Australia: II. responses to overdose.
A sample of 329 heroin users were interviewed about their experiences at other peoples' heroin overdoses. The overwhelming majority (86%) had witnessed a heroin overdose, on a median of six occasions. Heroin users were reluctant to seek medical attention, with an ambulance being called on only half (56%) of the most recent overdose occasions. At only 17% of most recent overdoses was calling an ambulance the first action taken. Males reported taking significantly longer than females to call an ambulance. Nearly half (44%) of subjects reported that there were factors that had delayed or stopped them seeking medical assistance, the most common impediment being a fear of police involvement. The importance of interventions to encourage help-seeking at overdoses are discussed.
Darke
S
S
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australia.
Ross
J
J
Hall
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001293:Attitude to Death; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D003932:Heroin / Q000506:poisoning*; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors
D003932:Heroin