title: Changing trends in heroin-related deaths in Sydney, Australia-1995 to 1999.
abstract: This 1997-1999 study replicates an earlier one (1995-1997) in which coronial cases were reviewed at the Department of Forensic Medicine in Australia. Ten percent of the 2945 cases were considered accidental illicit drug deaths, compared to 4% in the previous study. Heroin was associated with 90% of the deaths, but in only 17% of these cases as a single drug. Concomitant drug use, in particular alcohol, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants, has increased considerably. The combined effects of these substances might play a role in the disturbingly large increase in heroin (morphine) related deaths during this period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. donnas@med.usyd.edu.au
authors.forename: Donna L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Sheedy
authors.forename: Therese M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Garrick
authors.forename: Andrew H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Fortis
authors.forename: Clive G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Harper
mesh_terms: D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002423:Cause of Death / Q000639:trends*; D062787:Drug Overdose; D003932:Heroin / Q000506:poisoning; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D003932:Heroin