Hospital Admissions for Adverse Effects of Medicinal Agents (Mainly Self-Poisoning) Among Adolescents in the Oxford Region

Deliberate self-poisoning among people aged 12-20 in the Oxford, London region were studied. Admissions in the hospitals rose sharply from the age of 12, more so for females than males, up to the age of 16 for females and 18 in males. Analgesics, antipyretics and psychotropic drugs were the most commonly used by both sexes and accounted for 75% of all admissions. Admissions increased overall between 1974 and 1979, notably among the under 16’s.