Sc. Paterson et al., DRUG-ADDICT DEATHS IN NORTH AND WEST LONDON AND PREVALENCE OF HIV ANDHEPATITIS-B INFECTION, Science & justice, 36(2), 1996, pp. 85-88
In a survey of 176 drug addict deaths occurring from 1987 to 1992 incl
usive, in North and West London, nine were HIV positive, eight were he
patitis B positive, and two were positive for both infections; 63% wer
e injectors. Of the 176 deaths, 115 were directly related to drug pois
oning, 38 were due to complications of drug ingestion and 23 were from
unrelated causes. No increase in the incidence of suicide was observe
d in addicts who knew that they were HIV positive.