[Drug use leading to death (author's transl)]

23 cases are demonstrated, in which the connection between drug use and sudden death is to be accepted. The victims are only males and juveniles. It is demonstrated by the cases reported, that upon the sudden death of a juvenile increased consideration must also be given to a possible connection between death and drug use. First and foremost the drug used is susceptible of leading to death by way of an intoxication due to too large a dosage or owing to oversensitiveness. Far advanced putrefaction, the combined effects of several drugs including alcohol, the difficulty in furnishing chemical proof of the presence of hashish and LSD in body-fluids and organs can make it nearly impossible to clarify the cause of death. Only what has been related in respect of the manner of living and drug use by members of the family, mates and friends makes the connection between death and drug use appear quite likely. The indirect connection between drug use and the juvenile's death is to be accepted if it comes to the accident under the influence of drugs - be it under the impression of invulnerability or omnipotence or in a state of hallucinations. Depressions under the influence of drugs are also susceptible of resulting in real suicidal actions. In case of inexplicable accidents or entirely unexpected suicide drug effects must, therefore, nowadays be thought of.