Poisoning fatalities in Virginia. 1987 through June 1989

In the time period from January 1, 1987 through June 30, 1989, changing trends in causative agents in fatal poisonings in Virginia have been observed. Cocaine and morphine (heroin) have risen dramatically. Carbon monoxide and tricyclic antidepressant deaths have increased moderately, while ethanol-involved deaths have fallen. The typical victim of carbon monoxide or alcohol is most often a white male in his 40s dying in the Central, Tidewater or Western parts of the Commonwealth. The victim of a prescription drug death is equally likely to be a white male or white female between 37 and 43 years old with suicidal intentions. The heroin or cocaine victim is typically a white male in his early thirties who dies in northern Virginia from an accidental overdose.