| Abstract: | The analysis of the 1989-2005 records of the Moscow Bureau of Forensic-Medical Examinations, statistics on lethal narcotic poisonings by gender, age, education, social and family status has revealed that the trend to reduction of the number of narcotic substances (NS) poisonings stopped in 2003. There was a 238.4% rise in the above poisonings in 2004. The highest rise was in the age group of 21-25-year-olds (35.7%; CI = 0.34-0.37; p = 0.05) and 26-30-year-olds (29.6%; CI = 0.28-0.31; p = 0.05). Among lethal cases one-third were unemployed (35.8%; CI = 0.34-0.37; p = 0.05) and one-forth were workers (22.2%; CI = 0.20-0.24; p = 0.05). By the family status, most of the dead were unmarried (57%; CI = 0.55-0.59; p = 0.05). This study gives a complete and accurate picture of the structure of narcotic drug poisonings. Relevant preventive measures are proposed. |
