Opioid drug deaths in Western Australia: 1974–1984

Abstract

Abstract: In Western Australia between 1974 and 1984 there were 108 deaths directly caused by opioid drugs. Heroin was a cause of death in only 11% of cases and morphine in a further 11%. Propoxyphene was the most frequently reported cause of death, accounting for 33% of cases. Methadone (18%) was the next most commonly implicated, particularly during the period when it had been widely prescribed for unsupervised use by addicts. A higher proportion of deaths occurred on a Saturday than on other days of the week. It is argued that more attention should be paid to licit opioids as causes of drug‐related deaths.