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Wellington coroner autopsy cases 1970-89: acute deaths due to drugs, alcohol and poisons.
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1992
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PharmacotherapyHarm ReductionForensic MedicineAddiction MedicineToxicologyDrug MonitoringDrug OverdoseClinical ToxicologyForensic PathologyDrug ToxicityHealth SciencesDrug SafetyPoisoningPharmacologyCoronal Autopsy ReportsDrug MisuseEmergency MedicineDeath InvestigationSubstance AbuseCardiovascular DiseaseForensic ToxicologyOpioid OverdoseCardiovascular PharmacodynamicsAcute DeathsMedicinePrescription Drugs
Coronal autopsy reports attributing deaths to drugs or poisonings were examined for the period 1970-89. There were 239 deaths of which 69% were suicide, 23% were accidental, 4% therapeutic misadventure, and 4% of uncertain category. 10.4% of deaths were due solely to alcohol and alcohol was found in another 13% of deaths from other drugs and poisons [corrected]. Twenty-seven percent of deaths were attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning. Five percent of deaths were due to poisons. Prescription drugs were the cause of deaths in 54% with the principle drug classes being opioids (14%), tricyclic antidepressants (12%), barbiturates (11%), hypnosedatives (8%). Prescribers need to be aware of the interactions of such drugs with alcohol, and to consider safer alternative drugs for those at risk of overdose or drug misuse.