@article{ref1,
title="Dying for heroin: the increasing opioid-related mortality in the Republic of Ireland, 1980-1999",
journal="European journal of public health",
year="2005",
author="Kelleher, M. J. and Keown, Patrick J. and O'gara, C. and Keaney, Francis and Farrell, M. and Strang, J.",
volume="15",
number="6",
pages="589-592",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Over the past 20 years there has been a steady rise in mortality associated with opioid misuse in several Western countries. We aimed to examine trends in opioid-related mortality over a 20-year period in the Republic of Ireland. Methods: Retrospective analysis of deaths attributed to ICD-9 codes 304.0 (morphine-type dependence) and E850.0 (accidental poisoning by opiates and related narcotics) in the Republic of Ireland between 1980 and 1999. RESULTS: The Republic of Ireland has seen a rapid increase in the number of opioid-related deaths over the 20-year period studied, from 0.01% of total deaths in 1980 to 0.15% in 1999. This is most marked in the younger age groups where, for example, it rose to 23% of 15-19 year old male deaths for 1997. The opioid-related mortality rate in the 15-44 years age range increased by nearly 14 times between 1980-1984 and 1995-1999. Over the whole period, 87% of opioid-related deaths were amongst males. Outside Dublin there has been a considerable increase in opioid-related mortality, nearly doubling the percentage of the total from 6% in the 1980s to 11% in the 1990s. CONCLUSIONS: Opioid-related mortality is an increasing problem in the Republic of Ireland, as in other Western countries. Today, young people have a very low mortality rate, and hence this rapid increase may need specific targeted interventions. The spread of opioid-related mortality outside Dublin to rural and other urban areas will have implications for service planning and provision.",
language="",
issn="1101-1262",
doi="10.1093/eurpub/cki048",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/cki048"
}