Drug-Related Deaths Between 1985 and 1992 Examined at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Vienna, Austria

This article presents results of examinations performed on 372 decreased substance abusers. A distinction was made between injecting drug users & non-injecting drug users with respect to infectious diseases transmitted by sharing paraphernalia. 1985 to 1992 drug-related deaths increased. Possible reasons are discussed. In approximately 30%, an accidental single substance, mainly due to morphine, was found. Results indicate a trend toward multi-substance abuse patterns. (36 Refs.)