asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have died from overdosage of drugs and/or complications thereof during each year from 1965 to 1971.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Deaths.
7.
As the phrase "overdosage of drugs and/or complications thereof" has a wide meaning it is not possible to provide the precise information that the Deputy may have in mind. Furthermore, during the period mentioned in the question the International Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death was revised, with effect from 1968, so that statistics for 1968-1970 are not precisely comparable with those for 1965-1967. However, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I am circulating with the Official Report a tabular statement containing statistics furnished by the Central Statistics Office of accidental and suicidal deaths due to drugs and solid or liquid substances during the period 1965-1970. Figures for 1971 are not yet available.
With regard to this tabular statement I should point out that the headings relating to deaths due to "solid or liquid substances" include deaths due to substances other than drugs or medicaments, such as disinfectants, pesticides, petroleum products etc. The total figures are naturally inflated by the inclusion of deaths from such substances.
Following is the statement:
DEATHS from various types of drugs for the years 1965-1967 according to the 7th Revision o the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death 1955.
|
Detailed International List Number |
Cause of death |
1965 |
1966 |
1967 |
|
E871 |
Accidental poisoning by barbituric acid and derivatives |
9 |
6 |
3 |
|
E872 |
Accidental poisoning by aspirin and salicylates |
1 |
— |
— |
|
E874 |
Accidental poisoning by other analgesic and soporific drugs |
2 |
3 |
1 |
|
E875 |
Accidental poisoning by sulfonamides |
— |
— |
— |
|
E878 |
Accidental poisoning by other and unspecified drugs |
1 |
2 |
— |
|
E970 |
Suicide and self-inflicted poisoning by analgesic and soporific substances |
5 |
6 |
8 |
|
E971 |
*Suicide and self-inflicted poisoning by other solid and liquid substances |
7 |
6 |
2 |
|
Totals |
25 |
23 |
14 |
DEATHS from various types of drugs for the years 1968-1970 according to the 8th Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Injuries and Causes of Death 1965.
|
Detailed International List Number |
Cause of death |
1968 |
1969 |
1970 |
|
E852 |
Accidental poisoning by primarily systemic and haematologic agents |
1 |
— |
1 |
|
E853 |
Accidental poisoning by analgesics and antipyretics |
— |
2 |
4 |
|
E854 |
Accidental poisoning by other sedatives and hypnotics |
2 |
1 |
5 |
|
E855 |
Accidental poisoning by autonomic nervous system and psychotherapeutic drugs |
4 |
1 |
2 |
|
E856 |
Accidental poisoning by other central nervous system depressants and stimulants |
1 |
— |
— |
|
E859 |
Accidental poisoning by other and unspecified drugs and medicaments |
— |
2 |
— |
|
E950 |
*Suicide and self-inflicted poisoning by solid or liquid substances—classifiable to E850—E869 |
15 |
10 |
11 |
|
E980 |
*Poisoning by solid or liquid substances undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted classifiable to E850— E869 |
11 |
20 |
27 |
|
Totals |
34 |
36 |
50 |
* It should be noted that this heading includes deaths other than from drugs and as such not separately identifiable.