NCJ Number
202825
Date Published
October 2003
Length
36 pages
Annotation
This report presents statistical data and trend information for the first half of 2003 on reported drug-related deaths identified by the Florida Medical Examiners Office.
Abstract
From January through June 2003, approximately 87,000 deaths occurred in Florida. Of these, the Florida Medical Examiners accepted jurisdiction and reported on 3,253 drug-related deaths through toxicology reports. Examiners were required to distinguish between drugs being the “cause” of death or just "present in the body during the death investigation." This 2003 interim report presents data on an expanded list of drugs most frequently or commonly found in deceased persons. The drugs identified and collected for this report include: Ethyl Alcohol, Methylated Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Cannabinoids, Carisoprodol/Meprobamate, Cocaine, GHB, Inhalants, Katamine, Opioids, and Phencyclidine (PCP). For the first time, the report distinguishes between the various Methylated Amphetamines and Benzodiazepines. Highlights of the general statewide trends found during the January to June 2003 interim include: (1) the 3 most frequently occurring drugs found in decedents were Ethyl Alcohol (1,665), all Benzodiazepines (842), and Cocaine (766); (2) the drugs that caused the most deaths were Cocaine, Methadone, all Benzodiazepines, Oxycodone, Ethyl Alcohol, Heroin, Morphine, and Hydrocodone; (3) the 3 drugs that were found to be most lethal were Heroin, Methadone, and Fentanyl; (4) Heroin occurrences showed the most drastic change by declining 18 percent when comparing the first 6 months of 2003 to the last 6 months of 2002; (5) Cocaine continued to rise at an 11-percent rate for both deaths and for overall occurrences of the drug; (6) the presence of Cannabinoids rose at a 13-percent rate; and (7) deaths caused by Ethyl Alcohol declined 25 percent. Tables, charts, and graphs