Morbidity and Mortality from Heroin Dependence: Survey of Heroin Addicts Known to Home Office

Abstract

Between 1947 and 1967 1,272 new cases of heroin addiction were recorded by the Home Office. Of these, 890 had taken opiates in 1966, 89 had died, and of 293 not known to be taking opiates 189 had been in prison or in hospital or a similar institution. The rate of recording new cases had increased, doubling every 16 months. The mortality rate among “nontherapeutic” addicts was 28 times the expected rate and chiefly due to sepsis, overdose, and suicide. Of new cases in the past two years 40% were under the age of 20. Possibly 800, followed by 1,200 further cases, will be recorded for 1967 and 1968. © 1968, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.