Demographic characteristics of emergency room admissions of acute drug reactions

This study investigated a sample of persons treated for acute drug reactions (overdoses) in a hospital emergency room setting to determine the general characteristics of these drug abusers and the incidence of drugs responsible for their admission. Detailed information is provided on the race and sex composition of these drug-abusing patients and comparisons are made with the general population of the area serviced by the hospital. The sample consisted of 506 persons who entered Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Dade County, Florida during January-June 1972. A profile of the typical admission for emergency care of a nonfatal overdose reveals a White female who is 18-24 hears old and who has overdosed on a single legally manufactured and distributed substance, usually a sedative.