Margaret M. Hynes, PhD, MPH and Lloyd M. Mueller, PhD. Health Care Quality, Health Statistics & Analysis, Connecticut Department of Public Health, 410 Capitol Avenue, MS#13PPE, P.O. Box 340308, Hartford, CT 06134-0308, (860)509-7135, margaret.hynes@po.state.ct.us

In 2003, legislation was passed in Connecticut to make naloxone legally available and for the Department of Public Health (DPH) to report on the drug overdose problem. The DPH investigation found that from 1992 to 1998 drug-induced and unintentional opiate overdose mortality increased significantly for males and females. Opiates and related narcotics accounted for about one-quarter of all drug-induced deaths. In 2000-2002, the largest number of opiate overdose deaths and highest death rate occurred among 40 to 44 year-olds and males comprised about 84 percent of these deaths. Seventy-three percent of decedents were white, 8 percent were black, and 18 percent were Hispanic of any race. Forty-one percent of these deaths took place at home. From 2000 to 2002, males made up the majority of all drug-induced emergency department (ED) encounters and hospitalizations. During this period, the number of opiate-induced ED encounters increased by 50 percent. Patients aged 15 to 49 accounted for over 90 percent of opiate-induced ED encounters and hospitalizations. Males comprised over 60 percent of opiate-induced ED encounters and hospitalizations. Community-based studies indicate that frequently medical assistance is not sought for overdose victims. Better understanding of the specific structural and perceived barriers to medical treatment of overdose is needed. Suggested improvements in data collection include: 1) further research to identify common patterns of multiple drug use and overdose among population subgroups; and 2) evaluation studies to determine the effectiveness of naloxone in reducing narcotics overdose deaths in various community settings.

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