Exploring trends in benzodiazepine-positive fatal drug overdoses in Tennessee, 2019-2021.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Benzodiazepine-positive overdoses increased between 2019 and 2021 in Tennessee. We sought to determine the changes in the number and characteristics of prescription and illicit benzodiazepine-positive fatal drug overdoses during this period.

Materials and methods

A statewide study was conducted to determine changes in the number and characteristics of benzodiazepine-positive drug overdose decedents using 2019-2021 data from the Tennessee State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System. The analyses were limited to Tennessee residents aged ≥ 18 years. A benzodiazepine-positive overdose was defined as any benzodiazepine on toxicology, regardless of the presence of other substances. Frequencies were generated to compare demographics, circumstances, prescription hi

SUBMITTER: Moses J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10836290 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature