Opiate-related deaths in dublin

Background Intravenous drug misuse, principally heroin, occurs primarily in the Greater Dublin area. Methadone maintenance treatment has been an impor tant part of the response to opiate misuse in Dublin since 1992. Aims To determine the number of opiate-related deaths in Dublin City and Co unty during 1999, to establish the number of methadone-related deaths and d etermine the proportion of deaths associated with methadone prescribed acco rding to guidelines. Methods A retrospective review of all coroners' inquest files in Dublin Cit y and County during 1999 was undertaken. Results There were 84 opiate-related deaths. Seventy-eight (92.9%) were mal e. Seventy-three (86.9%) had two or more drugs identified toxicologically. There were 45 methadone-related deaths. of which 15 (33.3%) were receiving methadone prescribed according to guidelines. Conclusion Opiate-related deaths occur primarily in males in the 25-34 year age group and are associated with a high level of polydrug use. Diverted m ethadone accounted for the majority of deaths involving methadone.