Year: 1972 Source: British Medical Journal, v.4, no.5833, (1972), p.157-159 SIEC No: 19833072

The incidence of self poisoning with drugs has doubled in Sheffield in the past 10 years. It now causes almost 1 in 10 of all medical admissions and one in five of all medical emergencies; it is the second most common reason for emergency admission to medical beds. The average age of the patients has fallen; one in five has previously been admitted to hospital with self poisoning. The drugs used are normally prescribed by a doctor and the types employed reflect national prescribing trends.