Drug-related problems in London accident and emergency departments. A twelve month survey.

Abstract

A prospective survey in seven hospitals revealed that the rate of drug-related attendances in the casualty population was 18.3 per 1000. 60% of these patients were under 30 years of age and 59% were female. At least 32% were dependent on drugs; and barbiturates, the drugs used most frequently in overdoses, had been obtained illegally in 77% of cases. During the course of the year there was a sharp decline in figures for barbiturates, explainable almost entirely in terms of fewer overdoses by drug-dependent individuals, but there was a steady rise in the use of minor tranquillisers, alcohol, and aspirin/codeine compounds.

• Journal: Lancet (London, England) (Lancet) Vol. 2 Issue 8251 Pg. 859-62 (Oct 17 1981) ISSN: 0140-6736 [Print] England
• PMID: 6116965 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Barbiturates
• Psychotropic Drugs

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Barbiturates (poisoning)
• Emergency Service, Hospital (statistics & numerical data)
• Female
• Humans
• London
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Psychotropic Drugs
• Sex Factors
• Substance-Related Disorders (epidemiology)