Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2003 Jun;80(2):189-200.
doi: 10.1093/jurban/jtg022.

Heroin overdose: research and evidence-based intervention

Shane Darke  1 , Wayne Hall
Affiliations
Review

Heroin overdose: research and evidence-based intervention

Shane Darke et al. J Urban Health. 2003 Jun.

Abstract

Drug overdose is a major cause of premature death and morbidity among heroin users. This article examines recent research into heroin overdose to inform interventions that will reduce the rate of overdose death. The demographic characteristics of overdose cases are discussed, including factors associated with overdose: polydrug use, drug purity, drug tolerance, routes of administration, and suicide. Responses by heroin users at overdoses are also examined. Potential interventions to reduce the rate of overdose and overdose-related morbidity are examined in light of the emerging data in this field.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Fugelstad A, Annell A, Rajs J, Angren G. Mortality and causes and manner of death among drug addicts in Stockholm during the period 1981–1992. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1997;96:169–175. - PubMed
    1. Goldstein A, Herrara J. Heroin addicts and methadone treatment in Albuquerque: a 22-year follow-up. Drug Alcohol Depend. 1995;40:139–150. doi: 10.1016/0376-8716(95)01205-2. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Oppenheimer E, Tobutt C, Taylor C, Andrew T. Death and survival in a cohort of heroin addicts from London clinics: a 22 year follow-up. Addiction. 1994;89:1299–1308. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1994.tb03309.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Quaglio G, Talamini G, Lechi A, Venturini L, Lugoboni F, Mezzelani P. Study of 2708 heroin-related deaths in north-eastern Italy 1985–98 to establish main causes of death. Addiction. 2001;96:1127–1137. doi: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2001.96811276.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sanchez-Carbonell X, Seus L. Ten year survival analysis of a cohort of heroin addicts in Catalonia: the EMETYST project. Addiction. 2000;95:941–948. doi: 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2000.95694110.x. - DOI - PubMed