A comparison of blood toxicology of heroin-related deaths and current heroin users in Sydney, Australia.

摘要: Abstract Blood toxicology results for deaths attributed to heroin overdose during 1995 in the South Western Sydney (SWS) region ( n =39) were compared with those of a sample 100 current SWS users who had injected within preceding 24 h. Heroin-related higher median concentration morphine than (0.35 versus 0.09 mg/l). However, there was substantial overlap between blood concentrations two groups, ranging from 0.08–1.45 mg/l. This range incorporated 90% heroin-related deaths. A third over twice toxic employed by analytical laboratories, and 7% levels recorded fatal cases. Alcohol detected 51% cases (median=0.10 g/100 ml) 1% user. There significant negative correlation among alcohol r s =−0.41). no difference groups proportions subjects positive benzodiazepines. The raise questions about mechanisms death what are termed overdoses, role these fatalities.