Non-fatal deliberate taking of overdoses in Cork city during 1982 was investigated from records in the general hospitals. In 1 of the hospitals, those attending after an overdose were personally interviewed. For both sexes, the greatest incidence of overdoses was in the younger groups; for females, there was seasonal variation. Those taking overdoses were grouped by electoral wards, the frequency varied greatly throughout the city; northern estates and part of the city centre were the highest.