Drug related deaths were examined for Cuyahoga County, Ohio, a metropolitan area that includes the city of Cleveland. From 1965-1980, 1095 overdose deaths were seen across a range of psychoactive substances. Suicidal overdoses (49.6%; N=505) were most frequent for persons who were older, white, female, and residents of areas outside the City of Cleveland. The association between drug abuse and drug availability is discussed, as well as the uses and limitations of drug death information as an indicator of drug abuse. (8 refs)