ACUTE POISONINGS AND SUDDEN DEATHS IN CRETE - A 5-YEAR REVIEW (1991-1996)

Fatal and non-fatal acute poisonings and other sudden deaths examined in the Toxicology Laboratory of University Hospital of Iraklion, Crete , from 1991 to 1996 mainly involved the abuse of drugs (heroin, flunit razepam and other psychoactive substances), accidental poisonings or s uicide attempts with pesticides (carbamates, organophosphates, paraqua t), other chemicals (cyanide salts, paint thinner, chlorine), traffic accidents,drownings and violent deaths (gunshots). Many of the cases w ere related to poisonous gases or volatiles (carbon monoxide, methylbr omide). Fatalities due to alcohol and methylene-dioxy-ethyl amphetamin e were also examined. Amphetamine and alcohol-related deaths due to dr owning were more recent. A significant number of cases were related to the accidental ingestion of alcohol, drugs or suicide attempts by chi ldren. Some of the cases were treated successfully in various Cretan h ospitals, while others had fatal outcomes due to late hospital admissi on.