Opiates, Cocaine and Alcohol Combinations in Accidental Drug Overdose Deaths in New York City, 1990-98

• NCJ Number: 200876
• Journal: Addiction Volume: 98 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2003 Pages: 739-747
• Author(s): Phillip O. Coffin; Sandro Galea; Jennifer Ahern; Andrew C. Leon; David Vlahov; Kenneth Tardiff
• Date Published: June 2003
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study examined the extent to which multiple drug use is involved in overdose mortality trends in New York City.

Abstract

Multiple drug use has been associated with an increased risk of overdose mortality. In this study, the authors examined the medical records of all overdose deaths in New York City between 1990 and 1998. For comparison purposes, the authors standardized yearly overdose rates by sex, age, and race to the 1990 census data for New York City. Results revealed that 97.6 percent of all the 7,451 overdose deaths in New York City between 1990 and 1998 were a result of ingesting opiates, cocaine, or alcohol. Multiple drug use, involving the combination of at least two of the three drugs, was the cause of death in 57.8 percent of the deaths. When compared to the 1990 census data, the trends in accidental overdose death rates varied by drug combinations, suggesting that different populations engaged in different patterns of multi-drug use. The authors contend that, based on their findings, interventions should address the use of opiates, cocaine, and alcohol in combination. Tables, figures, references