title: Unintentional opioid overdose deaths in New York City, 2005-2010: a place-based approach to reduce risk.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Drug poisoning is the leading cause of death from injuries in the United States. In New York City (NYC), unintentional drug poisoning death is the third leading cause of premature death, and opioids are the most commonly occurring class of drugs. Opioid overdose prevention efforts aim to decrease the number of people at risk for overdose and to decrease fatality rates among those using opioids by improving overdose response. These strategies can be enhanced with a comprehensive understanding of the settings in which overdoses occur.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional analysis of unintentional opioid poisoning deaths in NYC from 2005 to 2010 (n=2649). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with settings of fatal opioid overdose.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three-quarters of the sample overdosed in a home; one-tenth in an institution, and the remaining in a public indoor setting, the outdoors or another non-home setting. Factors associated with overdosing at home include female gender, college degree, residence in the borough of Staten Island, and combined use of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines. Factors associated with overdosing outside of the home include ages 35-64, residence in Manhattan, and use of heroin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The sample represents a near census of unintentional opioid overdose deaths in NYC during the study period, and allows for the identification of demographic and drug-using patterns by setting of overdose. Because most opioid overdoses occur inside the home, opioid overdose response programs can most efficiently address the epidemic by both reducing the risk of overdose in the home and targeting those who may be in the home at the time of an overdose for overdose response training. Approaches include minimizing risk of misuse and diversion through safe storage and safe disposal programs, physician education on prescribing of opioid analgesics and benzodiazepines, prescription of take-home naloxone, and Good Samaritan laws.
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 42-09 28th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101, United States. Electronic address: asiegler@health.nyc.gov.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siegler
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 42-09 28th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101, United States. Electronic address: etuazon@health.nyc.gov.
authors.forename: Ellenie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tuazon
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 42-09 28th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101, United States. Electronic address: dbradle1@health.nyc.gov.
authors.forename: Daniella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bradley O'Brien
authors.affiliation: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 42-09 28th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101, United States. Electronic address: dpaone@health.nyc.gov.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000506:poisoning*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid
keywords: Drug; Mortality; Opioid; Overdose; Setting