[Fatal poisonings among drug addicts in Funen and South Jutland during the period 1989-1991].

Deaths among drug addicts in Funen and in the south part of Jutland in the period 1989-1991 are described with respect to sex, age, social conditions, cause of death etc. The material included 62 drug addict deaths. The mean age was 31 years, range 15-49 years. Seventy-seven percent died from poisoning. A heroin overdose was the cause of death in 65% of these cases. There were two (3%) deaths from methadone. In 34 of the cases we found benzodiazepines, and in 29 cases alcohol. It appeared from information from family/friends that 45 had an abuse pattern involving multiple substances, so it seems that such abuse is common.