title: Diversity in causes and characteristics of drug-induced deaths in an urban setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess demographic characteristics, treatment utilization and circumstances of death among those who died from drug-induced deaths in an urban setting and to identify possible subpopulations that should be targeted specifically to further develop preventive public health policies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects (N = 231) who died, from drug-induced deaths, in the Norwegian capital Oslo (2006-2008) were identified through the National Cause of Death Registry. Data on toxicology, prison release and contact with health and social services in Oslo were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority of cases were men (78%) and the mean age was 37 years. Nearly all cases (90%) were polydrug intoxications. Heroin was implicated in 67%. Residential address was the most common place of death (67%). Most cases (82%) had been in contact with health and social services in the year before death. Women were 4 years older, more often Oslo residents (82% vs. 64%) and fewer died from heroin intoxication. Non-Oslo residents were younger and more likely to have been found outdoors with heroin as the main intoxicant. Other identified subpopulations were those who died after prison release and those discharged from drug treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that the majority of cases could have been available for preventive measures through their contacts with health and social services. Yet, the heterogeneity among cases indicates that such measures need to be multifaceted. Finally, it is important for policymakers and health and social workers in various countries to consider subpopulations such as women and non-city residents when developing public health interventions to prevent overdose deaths.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway. lgjersing@gmail.com
authors.forename: Linn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gjersing
authors.forename: Kristine V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Jonassen
authors.forename: Stian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biong
authors.forename: Edle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ravndal
authors.forename: Helge
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Waal
authors.forename: Jørgen G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Bramness
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clausen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000401:mortality*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult