EMCDDA assessment of drug-induced death data and contextual information in selected countries
Introduction
This report examines the triggers and dynamics of drug-related death in the seven EMCDDA Member States with the highest drug-related death (DRD) rates per population. The report explores whether between-country variations might be explained in part by differences in the number of drug users at risk of DRD, and by differences in the level of DRD risk among those who are at risk. The analysis is based on a series of multi-indicator country profiles developed in consultation with the national experts. Several recommendations emerge, designed to help place the DRD data within the proper context.
Also on this page can be found three related reports on coding, focusing on codification practices and data flow between the different mortality registries. It highlights the complexity and differences of coding practices of the causes of deaths across Europe, including the practices following the World health Organisation (WHO) revision of the ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems). Recommendations are made to improve the level of accuracy and coverage of reporting on DRD. The reports also review the information flow (i.e. transmission of autopsy and toxicology results) from the forensic registries to the general mortality registries. Both pitfalls and examples of good practices are identified in the reports.
Finally, an other report focuses on DRD in Sweden and provides detailed analysis of the toxicological data of all forensically investigated cases over the last 10 years. The report concludes that a real increase in deaths caused by drugs has been occurring in Sweden, but also that part of the increase observed over the last decade is due to changes and improvements in coding and forensic investigation. Key recommendations of the report are for closer inter-agency collaboration and the linkage of forensic toxicological data with cause of deaths data.
Related reports:
- Codification practices of drug related deaths following the WHO revision of ICD coding guidelines related to DRDs – Part I
- A review of the Inventory of the national Special Mortality Registries in Europe with a focus on information flow to the General Mortality Registries – Part II
- Codification practices in some countries following the WHO revision of ICD coding guidelines related to DRDs – Part III
- Drug-related deaths in Sweden – Estimations of trends, effects of changes in recording practices and studies of drug patterns