A comparison of suicide and non suicide deaths involving psychotropic drugs in four major U.S. cities

Abstract

By use of a standard reporting form, extensive data were gathered on 651 deaths involving psychotropic drugs and recorded with the Coroner's or Medical Examiner's Office in each of four major U.S. cities. Thirty six per cent of these deaths were listed as 'Definitely Suicide' and 44% were listed as 'Non Suicide'. A comparison was made of the age, sex, race, occupational category, and type of drug involved for each of these two groups, by city. In general, the Suicide group tended to be older, from higher occupational levels, and more often female. Blacks were underrepresented among the Suicides but overrepresented among the Non Suicides. Suicide deaths tended to be associated with barbiturates, analgesics, and/or sedatives, while the Non Suicides usually died from an accidental abuse of narcotics, usually heroin. These findings tended to be similar for each city, although some inter city differences were noted.