Accidental Fatalities Among Heroin Users in South Australia, 1994-1997: Toxicological Findings and Circumstances of Death

A total of 101 accidental deaths were identified among heroin users in South Australia for the period 1994-1997. Mean age at death was 29.9 years. Cases typically involved a single, unemployed, Caucasian male in his late twenties with a history of heroin and other drug use. Two or more drug types were detected in 80% of cases. The total number of substance types identified increased significantly with age. In comparison to younger fatalities, alcohol and benzodiazepines were identified in more of those 27 years of age and over. Thirteen deaths occurred within four weeks of release from prison and in nine cases tricyclic anti-depressants were found. The majority of deaths occurred in a private home and in the presence (or near proximity) of others. Identified risk factors included: being male; being a long-term heroin user; recent release from prison; use of tricyclic antidepressants and/or other central nervous system depressants.