NCJ Number
204679
Date Published
January 2004
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This report, mandated under Connecticut's Act Concerning the Treatment of Drug Overdoses, presents morbidity and mortality information on all drug-induced conditions, drug poisoning, heroin and related narcotics-induced conditions, and heroin and related narcotics overdoses in the State for the periods 1989-98 and 1999-2002.
Abstract
From 1992 to 1998, drug-induced deaths increased by almost 11 percent for Connecticut females and 4 percent for males. Since 1992, drug-induced death rates have tended to be higher for Connecticut male residents than for males nationwide. There was a small but statistically significant increase in the unintentional opiate overdose crude death rate from 1992 to 1998. Although the number of drug-induced and unintentional opiate overdose deaths among Connecticut residents increased slightly from 1999 to 2002, there were not statistically significant increases in either the drug-induced or opiate overdose crude death rate from 1999 to 2002. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and other supplements comprised approximately 96 percent of all pharmaceutical-related calls to the Connecticut Poison Control Center, and heroin and other street drugs and stimulants accounted for approximately 3 percent of such calls. Exposures by children aged 5 and younger accounted for approximately 45 percent of all pharmaceutical-related calls to the Center during this period, and exposures by adults aged 20 and older accounted for approximately 37 percent of all such calls. Two community-based studies of intravenous drug users in the State indicate that a large number of persons who experienced a drug overdose did not seek medical assistance. Further research is required to identify the specific structural and perceived barriers to medical treatment of drug overdose in the State. Research studies suggest that multiple drug use is involved in a majority of nonfatal overdoses and drug poisoning deaths. Research on the common patterns of multiple drug use and overdose is needed for the development of appropriate intervention strategies. Naloxone is apparently the most promising intervention strategy for reducing overdose mortality. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can be prescribed, dispensed, distributed, or administered by certain licensed health-care practitioners in Connecticut. Evaluation studies should be conducted to determine the effectiveness of naloxone in reducing narcotics overdose deaths in a variety of community settings. 6 tables, 7 figures, 21 references and 6 appendices that contain relevant statutory provisions, sources of information, and supplementary data