Related Experiment Videos
Opiate-related deaths in Dublin
Irish Journal of Medical Science
|July 7, 2001
Summary
In Dublin, 84 opiate-related deaths occurred in 1999, with most involving polydrug use. A significant portion of methadone-related deaths involved diverted medication, not prescribed according to guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Toxicology
- Forensic Pathology
Background:
- Intravenous drug misuse, primarily heroin, is concentrated in Dublin.
- Methadone maintenance treatment has been a key intervention for opiate misuse in Dublin since 1992.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify opiate-related deaths in Dublin City and County in 1999.
- To determine the number of methadone-related deaths.
- To assess the proportion of methadone-related deaths linked to prescribed medication.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of coroners' inquest files.
- Geographic focus on Dublin City and County.
- Data collected for the year 1999.
Main Results:
- 84 opiate-related deaths were recorded.
- Males constituted 92.9% of fatalities.
- 45 deaths were methadone-related, with 33.3% involving prescribed methadone.
Conclusions:
- Opiate-related deaths predominantly affect males aged 25-34.
- High levels of polydrug use are associated with these deaths.
- Diverted methadone was a major factor in fatalities.