[Opiate poisoning (an analysis of section material)]

Section specimens from subjects dead from narcotic poisoning in 1998-1999 are analyzed. The results indicate that narcotic poisonings were primarily due to opiates or their combinations with other drugs (primarily ethanol). The ratio of male to female mortality was 3:1. Death after narcotic poisoning occurs at home in the majority of cases. The concentration of morphine/heroin in the blood and urine of victims varied within a very wide range. Acute renal failure, myoglobulinuremic nephrosis, and compression syndrome are not typical of acute narcotic poisoning. Use of immunotest for urinary morphine-heroin deserves further investigation.