Drug-related deaths
National statistics on drug-related death refer generally to deaths happening shortly after drug consumption ('directly related deaths', 'overdoses', 'poisonings' or 'drug-induced deaths'). The statistical tables refer to these deaths, which are usually recorded through General Mortality Registries or Special Registries (Forensic or Police). See the traditional national definitions for further details.
National statistics are improving in most countries and definitions are converging, but some differences between countries remain in case definition, recording and coding of cases, autopsy rates and reporting of results. In some countries information exchange between general mortality registries and any special registries is lacking. In some countries a number, generally small, of deaths that are indirectly related to drug use – for example, AIDS, accidents, violence – are still included in the national statistics. Direct comparisons between rates in different countries should be made with caution; but if methods are maintained consistently within a country, trends can give valuable insight when interpreted together with other drug indicators.
The EMCDDA definition of drug-related death refers specifically to those deaths that are caused directly by the consumption of drugs of abuse. A protocol released in August 2002 by the EMCDDA – the DRD Standard, Version 3.0 (192kb) provides guidelines on how to extract, select and report cases of drug-related death according to the EMCDDA definition from general mortality registries that are built on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) and also from special registries.
The EMCDDA’s preferred method is the use of general mortality registries, based on the WHO International Classification of Diseases.
Based on ICD9: When underlying cause of death was drug psychoses, drug dependence, nondependent drug abuse, accidental drug poisoning, suicide and self-inflicted drug poisoning, and drug poisoning with undetermined intent.
Based on ICD10: When underlying cause of death was mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance or poisoning - accidental, intentional or undetermined intent. For details of the exact ICD codes included, see Selection B in DRD Standard.
An alternative method based on the special registries, when they exist, is applied in countries where the preferred method cannot be implemented, and is also used wherever possible as a back-up estimate for the general mortality registries.
Based on forensic or police registries: When the death was due to poisoning by accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined intent. For details of see the precise groups included, see Selection D in DRD Standard.
Correlation between the results of traditional national definitions and the EMCDDA standard definition, both for general mortality registries and for special registries, has been analysed. The report containing the results of the field test can be downloaded (512KB).
For more information on the methods, including statistics on drug-related deaths and mortality among drug users, see http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/?nnodeid=1419.
