The aim of this investigation was to examine the deaths of drug addicts from poisoning in the county of Funen in 1995 and 1996. The cause of death was related to drugs on the illicit market. Social conditions (homelessness, involvement in crime, psychogenic disease, circumstance of death) are discussed.
The study included 47 drug addicts. Median age was 34, age span: 20-43.
The main cause of death was poisoning by heroin. In 28% of the drug addicts cocaine was detected and in 13% amphetamine. About half had used benzodiazepines.
Few were employees, most were criminals and eight were homeless. Thirty-eight percent were found in public lavatories. Eight had a serious psychiatric diagnosis.
We can conclude that the drug addicts are socially marginalized. They abused a mixture of drugs. The drugs detected in the drug addicts compared well with the drugs on the illicit market and cocaine had gained access to the market.