Drugs and homicide in Erie County, New York.

Toxicological data were obtained from the Medical Examiner's Office in Erie County, New York, for homicide victims for 1973-1984. There were 650 deaths. Drugs were detected in only 4.2% of the victims whereas the incidence of positive blood alcohol levels in victims was 10 times higher (45%). While Erie County had the same incidence of alcohol involvement in homicide as New York City, the involvement of drugs in homicide was considerably below that of New York City.