Death Caused by Recreational Cocaine Use

TLDR

The study investigated 68 deaths linked to recreational illicit cocaine use in Dade County, Florida. The investigation was carried out by the Medical Examiner's Office of Dade County, Florida. Most fatalities occurred since 1975, 24 died directly from cocaine toxicity, with rapid respiratory collapse after intravenous injection and delayed seizures after oral or nasal ingestion, and absorption rate, peak blood concentration, and prior use influence fatality risk, demonstrating that cocaine is not a safe recreational drug. JAMA 241:2519-2522, 1979.

Abstract

Sixty-eight deaths associated with the recreational use of illicit cocaine were investigated by the Medical Examiner's Office of Dade County in Florida. Most fatalities occurred since 1975. Although 29 involved the use of other drugs (usually heroin), 24 persons died directly of the toxic effects of cocaine. Respiratory collapse and death occurred rapidly after the intravenous injection of cocaine. Oral or nasal ingestion resulted in a symptom-free interval lasting as long as an hour followed suddenly by generalized seizures and death. Toxicological analysis could not causally relate lidocaine hydrochloride or other adulterants to the untoward reactions. The data suggest that the rate of absorption, the peak blood concentration, and the prior use of cocaine all contribute to the possibility of a fatal reaction. Despite current belief, cocaine cannot be considered a safe recreational drug. (<i>JAMA</i>241:2519-2522, 1979)