73 patients who had taken a deliberate overdose were seen over a 6-week period. Self poisoning was found to be most common in females aged 20-29 years & in the unemployed. The benzodiazepines were the most common drug taken & most had been prescribed by a general practitioner. 40% had a history of previous self poisoning & 63% had also taken alcohol. 86% were admitted to hospital & of these, 76% were referred for a psychiatric opinion. 14% of all patients were admitted to a psychiatric hospital.