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. 2011 Aug;58(8):A4307.

Drug-related death in Denmark in 2007

Kirsten Wiese Simonsen  1 , A Carsten Hansen, Dorte Rollmann, Birgitte Kringsholm, Irene Breum Müller, Sys Stybe Johansen, Kristian Linnet
Affiliations
  • PMID: 21827724
Free article

Drug-related death in Denmark in 2007

Kirsten Wiese Simonsen et al. Dan Med Bull. 2011 Aug.
Free article

Abstract

Introduction: We investigated fatal poisonings among drug addicts in 2007. The cause of death, abuse pattern and geographic differences are presented.

Material and 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.

Conclusion: 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.

Funding: not relevant.

Trial registration: not relevant.

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