Reviews 146 cases of acute poisoning seen & treated by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, between 1979-82. Barbiturates (19%) & benzodiazepines (17%) were the commonest drugs used in acute poisoning. The highest incidence (41%) was found among persons aged 18-25 years. There were 67 males & 79 females. 14% took a ‘cocktail’ of more than one drug. Self-poisoning occurred in 74%; 8.6% were apparently suicidal; 15.8% were accidental; & 1.4% were homicidal. 8 Ref.