HIV Infection and IV Drug use: Medical Examiner Cases in Essex and Hudson Counties, New Jersey

Patterns of HIV infection & IV drug use in 697 medical examiner cases during 1986-87 were examined. Subjects were predominantly black males, aged 30-44 years. Evidence of IV drug use & HIV+ status were very highly correlated. There was a low rate of suicide among HIV+ cases & IV drug users. Only 3 of 63 suicide victims were HIV+ & they were the only IV drug users whose deaths were by suicide. This low rate may be due to deaths being certified as accidental or undetermined, & in part to race.