Prescription opioid mortality trends in New York City, 1990-2006: examining the emergence of an epidemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The drug overdose mortality rate tripled between 1990 and 2006; prescription opioids have driven this epidemic. We examined the period 1990-2006 to inform our understanding of how the current prescription opioid overdose epidemic emerged in urban areas.

Methods

We used data from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to examine changes in demographic and spatial patterns in overdose fatalities induced by prescription opioids (i.e., analgesics and methadone) in New York City (NYC) in 1990-2006, and what factors were associated with death from prescription opioids vs. heroin, historically the most prevalent form of opioid overdose in urban areas.

Results

Analgesic-induced overdose fatalities were the only types of overdose fatalities to increase in 1990-200

SUBMITTER: Cerda M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3748247 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature