DRUG-ABUSE EMERGENCIES IN HAMBURG 1990 91

During a 30-month investigation of the prevalence and structure of dru g emergencies in Hamburg, data from all ambulances were analysed. From January 1991 to June 1992 there were 1565 drug-related emergency pati ents suffering a life-threatening event in Hamburg (1097 male, 350 fem ale, 118 without information concerning the sex) to whom medical care was given by an emergency team. The number of cases grew strongly from 538 in 1990 to 720 in 1991. The place where the patients were found w as very often in the region around the main railway station and near t o the Reeperbahn, but we could also observe a scene south of the river Elbe.