OPIATE OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PART 2 - METHADONE-RELATED FATALITIES

• NCJ Number: 16723
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1974) Pages: 575-584
• Author(s): M H GREENE; J L LUKE; R L DUPONT
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc for Testing and Materials
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. OPIATE OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, PART 1 - HEROIN RELATED FATALITIES, APPEARED IN THE APRIL 1974 ISSUE OF MEDICAL ANNALS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Annotation

A DISCUSSION OF METHADONE RELATED DEATHS AMONG ABUSERS OF NARCOTIC DRUGS IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Abstract

DEMOGRAPHIC, PATHOLOGICAL AND TOXICOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE VICTIMS WHOSE DEATHS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY RELATED TO METHADONE ABUSE ARE PRESENTED. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE ANY ADDITIONAL CIRCUMSTANTIAL, PATHOLOGICAL, AND TOXICOLOGICAL FACTORS WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A FATAL RESULT FOLLOWING THE UTILIZATION OF ILLICIT METHADONE. THE PHARMACOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISM OF METHADONE RELATED DEATHS IS COMPARED TO THE SYNDROME OF SUDDEN DEATH AMONG HEROIN ADDICTS.