Nonfatal overdose among heroin users in southwestern China

To evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for nonfatal overdose among heroin users in southwestern China.

In 2005, 731 heroin users in Sichuan Province, China were interviewed for overdose experiences in the past 12 months. Factors hypothesized to be associated with overdose were evaluated with logistic regression models.

Eighty-eight (12%) drug users experienced at least one overdose, with a range from 1 to 20; 45 (51%) experienced 2 or more overdoses. Over half of participants with experience of overdose were recently released from prison (52%), and 56% used benzodiazepines before overdose. Longer methadone treatment in the past year (>or=180 vs. 0 days; OR, .3; 95% CI, .1-.8; P = .02), longer duration of using drugs (>or=7 vs. <7 years; OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.6; P = .002), and more frequency of injecting drugs in the past 3 months (>or=7 vs. <7 times/week; OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.2-9.0; P < .001) were independently associated with increased risk of nonfatal heroin overdose.

Nonfatal heroin overdoses are common among Chinese heroin users. Drug users should be encouraged to participate and remain in methadone treatment to prevent overdose and be educated about proper response to overdose to reduce risk of overdose death.