Regional Differences in Alcohol and Fatal Injury: a Comparison of Data From two County Coroners

This study analyzed alcohol in fatalites in Hinds County, Mississippi (a dry county) compared to Contra Costa County, California (a wet county). Data on all unnatural deaths during a 1-year period among those 18 years & older were abstracted from county coroner’s files. 222 cases in Hinds County & 304 cases in Contra Costa County were identified. For the cases where toxicology data were obtained, suicide accounted for 44% of deaths in Hinds County & 33% of deaths in Contra Costa County. Ethnicity (non-black), a negative blood alcohol concentration, & a positive drug screen were predictive of suicide. (19 refs.)