title: Recognition and response to opioid overdose deaths-New Mexico, 2012.
abstract: Drug overdose deaths are epidemic in the U.S. Prescription opioid pain relievers (OPR) and heroin account for the majority of drug overdoses. Preventing death after an opioid overdose by naloxone administration requires the rapid identification of the overdose by witnesses. This study used a state medical examiner database to characterize fatal overdoses, evaluate witness-reported signs of overdose, and identify opportunities for intervention.
  
  
  
  We reviewed all unintentional drug overdose deaths that occurred in New Mexico during 2012. Data were abstracted from medical examiner records at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. We compared mutually exclusive groups of OPR and heroin-related deaths.
  
  
  
  Of the 489 overdose deaths reviewed, 49.3% involved OPR, 21.7% involved heroin, 4.7% involved a mixture of OPR and heroin, and 24.3% involved only non-opioid substances. The majority of OPR-related deaths occurred in non-Hispanic whites (57.3%), men (58.5%), persons aged 40-59 years (55.2%), and those with chronic medical conditions (89.2%). Most overdose deaths occurred in the home (68.7%) and in the presence of bystanders (67.7%). OPR and heroin deaths did not differ with respect to paramedic dispatch and CPR delivery, however, heroin overdoses received naloxone twice as often (20.8% heroin vs. 10.0% OPR; p<0.01).
  
  
  
  OPR overdose deaths differed by age, health status, and the presence of bystanders, yet received naloxone less often when compared to heroin overdose deaths. These findings suggest that naloxone education and distribution should be targeted in future prevention efforts.
authors: Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway MS-F62, Chamblee, GA 30341, United States. Electronic address: benalevy@hotmail.com.
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Levy
authors: Women and Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, Warrren Alpert Medical School at Brown University, United States. Electronic address: mspelke@wihri.org.
authors: Bridget
authors: B
authors: Spelke
authors: Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 601 Sunland Park Dr. Suite 200, El Paso, TX 79912, United States. Electronic address: lbp4@cdc.gov.
authors: Leonard J
authors: LJ
authors: Paulozzi
authors: Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway MS-F62, Chamblee, GA 30341, United States. Electronic address: hqp8@cdc.gov.
authors: Jeneita M
authors: JM
authors: Bell
authors: The University of New Mexico, 1101 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102, United States. Electronic address: knolte@salud.unm.edu.
authors: Kurt B
authors: KB
authors: Nolte
authors: The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, United States. Electronic address: slathrop@salud.unm.edu.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Lathrop
authors: Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd., Atlanta, GA 30329-4018, United States. Electronic address: ggi4@cdc.gov.
authors: David E
authors: DE
authors: Sugerman
authors: New Mexico Department of Health, 1190 S. St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505, United States. Electronic address: Michael.Landen@state.nm.us.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Landen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D003932:Heroin / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009270:Naloxone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009516:New Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone; D003932:Heroin
keywords: Drug abuse; Heroin; Naloxone; Opioid pain relievers; Overdose deaths; Respiratory depression