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J Urban Health. 2003 June; 80(2): 189–200.
PMCID: PMC3456279
Copyright © The New York Academy of Medicine 2003
Heroin overdose: Research and evidence-based intervention
Shane Darkecorresponding author1 and Wayne Hall2
1National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, 2052 NSW Australia
2Office of Public Policy and Ethics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Australia
Shane Darke, s.darke/at/unsw.edu.au.
corresponding authorCorresponding author.
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Abstract
Drug overdose is a major cause of premature death and morbidity among heroin users. This article examines recent research into heroin overdose to inform interventions that will reduce the rate of overdose death. The demographic characteristics of overdose cases are discussed, including factors associated with overdose: polydrug use, drug purity, drug tolerance, routes of administration, and suicide. Responses by heroin users at overdoses are also examined. Potential interventions to reduce the rate of overdose and overdose-related morbidity are examined in light of the emerging data in this field.
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Selected References
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