title: Drug-related death in Denmark in 2007.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated fatal poisonings among drug addicts in 2007. The cause of death, abuse pattern and geographic differences are presented.
  
  
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: Section of Forensic Chemistry, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. kirsten.wiese@forensic.ku.dk
authors.forename: Kirsten Wiese
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Simonsen
authors.forename: A Carsten
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Dorte
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rollmann
authors.forename: Birgitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kringsholm
authors.forename: Irene Breum
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Sys Stybe
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: Kristian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Linnet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000506:poisoning; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D003932:Heroin / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000506:poisoning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000506:poisoning; D009294:Narcotics / Q000506:poisoning*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D009294:Narcotics; D003932:Heroin; D009020:Morphine; D008691:Methadone