From 1987-91, 247 people committed suicide in Newfoundland. Of these, 22 committed suicide by drowning. In victims, age 50+ years, suicide by drowning represented 25% of all deaths. For females in this age group, drowning was the most common method of suicide (45.5%). The presence of alcohol or other drugs was decidely unusual in such victims. Of the 22 drowning suicides, 19 were committed in the ocean, 2 in fresh water & 1 in a residential well. (11 refs.)