TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2009//
TI  - Opioid deaths in rural Virginia: a description of the high prevalence of accidental fatalities involving prescribed medications
JO  - American journal on addictions
A1  - Wunsch, Martha J.
A1  - Nakamoto, Kent
A1  - Behonick, George
A1  - Massello, William
SP  - 5
EP  - 14
VL  - 18
IS  - 1
N2  - In rural Virginia, drug overdose deaths increased 300% from 1997 to 2003. Polydrug deaths predominate (57.9%) in this review of 893 medical examiner cases. Prescription opioids (74.0%), antidepressants (49.0%), and benzodiazepines (39.3%) were more prevalent than illicit drugs. Two-thirds of decedents were 35-54 years old; 37% were female. When compared to western Virginia metropolitan cases, polydrug abuse was more common, specific medication combinations were found, the death rate per population was higher, and fewer illicit drugs were detected. These rural prescription overdose deaths differ from urban illicit drug deaths, suggesting the need for different strategies in prevention, treatment, and intervention by clinicians and policymakers.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1055-0496
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10550490802544938
ID  - ref1
ER  -