Frequency of Deaths Resulting From the Use of Drugs and Chemicals in Los Angeles County

• NCJ Number: 119768
• Journal: Bulletin on Narcotics Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1983) Pages: 41-49
• Author(s): R D Budd; D M Lindstrom; E C Griesemer; T T Noguchi
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Austria

Annotation

A study of the frequency of deaths resulting from the use of drugs and chemicals in Los Angeles County in the period 1947-1980 showed a slight overall increase, with a substantial increase in 1968/69.

Abstract

This trend continued until 1976/77, when the number of deaths began to decline, and continued until 1979/80. Another study, conducted between 1974-1981 and based on the analysis of 35 drugs in biological samples taken in autopsies, showed that certain drugs were more often present in overdose cases of death than in drug-related cases of death where drugs were not directly responsible for the death. Ethanol and phencyclidine were the most frequently found drugs in drug-related deaths. 6 tables, 17 references. (Author abstract modified)