Underlying causes of cocaine, amphetamine and opioid related deaths in Australia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the characteristics of deaths in Australia where opioids, cocaine or amphetamines were mentioned, taking into account changes in the use and availability of these drugs in recent years. DESIGN: Data were analysed from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Causes of Death dataset between 1997 and 2002 on all deaths in which cocaine, amphetamines or opioids were mentioned including deaths where (a) the drugs were considered an underlying cause of death, (b) the drugs contributed to accidental drug-induced death, and (c) deaths primarily due to other causes. Data from the Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey were also used to examine the prevalence of use o..