Drug-related emergencies and drug-related deaths in Vienna, 1995-1997

The demographics of drug-related emergencies and drug-related deaths that o ccurred in Vienna between January 1st, 1995 and December 31st, 1997 were co mpared to investigate whether they represent two different subgroups of the drug-taking community. Analysis indicated that drug-related emergencies we re significantly younger and that the proportion of females was higher than amongst the fatalities. In addition, emergencies were more likely than fat alities to occur in private residences than public places. No significant a ssociation between the number of contacts with the Vienna Ambulance Service and the fatal outcome of drug use could be substantiated. The results of t his study indicate that drug-related emergencies and drug-related deaths re present two different subpopulations of the drug-taking community. Therefor e, different strategies of prevention are considered. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.