During a prospective study of the whole spectrum of drug-related problems treated in 1 month by 62 casualty departments in the Greater London area, 949 cases of deliberate self-poisoning were identified. Nearly 3/4 of the patients were under 40 years & in all age groups women outnumbered men. Psychoactive drugs were used in 71% and ordinary analgesics & other drugs were used in 27%. In at least 27% there was a history of repeated overdose in the previous 12 months.(DD)