Drug Overdoses Seen in the Emergency Department: Assessment, Disposition and Follow-up

Data were collected on 177 consecutive cases of drug overdoses evaluated in an emergency department over a 3-month period. 66% of the subjects admitted that they were trying to either kill or harm themselves while 18% stated that their intent was to get high. Although the short-term recidivism rate was low, the escalating trend towards suicide & drug overdoses in adolescents & young adults demands careful assessment in the emergency department. (25 refs.)