OFFICE OF APPLIED STUDIES

Drug Abuse Warning Network

Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

www.samhsa.gov

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

OFFICE OF APPLIED STUDIES

Drug Abuse Warning Network

Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

www.samhsa.gov
ii DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report is based on data developed for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA), Office of Applied Studies (OAS), by Johnson, Bassin, and Shaw, Inc.

under Contract No. 283-98-9010 and by Westat under Contract No. 282-98-0003. Tracy J.

Garfield and Dr. Wendy Kissin (Westat) and Dr. Judy Ball (SAMHSA/OAS Project Officer) wrote

the report. Other significant contributors at Westat include Josefina Moran (Project Director),

K.C. Lee, and Carmen Phelps.

PUBLIC DOMAIN NOTICE

All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied

without permission from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Citation of the source is appreciated.

OBTAINING ADDITIONAL COPIES OF PUBLICATION

Copies may be obtained, free of charge, from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug

Information (NCADI), a service of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA). Write or call:

National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)

P.O. Box 2345

Rockville, MD 20847-2345

(301) 468-2600 1-800-729-6686 TDD 1-800-487-4889

ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO PUBLICATION

This publication can be accessed electronically through the Internet World Wide Web

connections listed below.

World Wide Web Internet Connections: http://www.samhsa.gov

http://www.health.org

ORIGINATING OFFICE:

SAMHSA, Office of Applied Studies

5600 Fishers Lane, Room 16-105

Rockville, MD 20857

DECEMBER 2000
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 iii

CONTENTS

Chapter Page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................. ii

IMPORTANT NOTICE........................................................................ vii

SYMBOLS USED IN TABLES ............................................................ vii

HIGHLIGHTS ..................................................................................... ix

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1

OVERVIEW OF 1999 MEDICAL EXAMINER DATA........................... 2

BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY............................................. 2

DATA LIMITATIONS .......................................................................... 4

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN INTERPRETING DAWN DATA ............. 5

2. SUMMARY OF 1999 DRUG ABUSE DEATHS AND DRUG

MENTIONS ........................................................................................ 7

DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS .............................................. 7

EPISODE CHARACTERISTICS ........................................................ 7

DRUG USE CHARACTERISTICS ..................................................... 8

DRUGS PRESENT IN COMBINATIONS............................................ 10

3. DRUG ABUSE DEATHS AND DRUG MENTIONS

IN 1999 ACCORDING TO METROPOLITAN AREA .......................... 13

4. TRENDS IN NUMBERS OF DRUG ABUSE DEATHS AND

DRUG MENTIONS: 1996-1999 ......................................................... 15

TRENDS FOR THE CONSISTENT PANEL FOR 1996-1999.............. 15

TRENDS BY METROPOLITAN AREA................................................ 16

FINDINGS FROM SELECTED CITIES............................................... 17
iv DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

LIST OF APPENDIXES

Appendix Page

A. DAWN MEDICAL EXAMINER REPORT FORM ................................ 19

B. GLOSSARY OF TERMS . .................................................................. 21

C. DETAILED TABLES .......................................................................... 29

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1.01 Medical examiners reporting information by metropolitan area: 1999 31

1.02 Medical examiner jurisdictions reporting information to DAWN (along

with state-county Federal Information Processing Standard [FIPS]

codes), according to metropolitan area: 1999 .................................... 32

1.03 Number of medical examiner facilities and number of months reported,

according to metropolitan area: 1999 ................................................ 33

2.01 Distribution of drug abuse deaths by demographic characteristics

according to gender: 1999 ................................................................. 34

2.02 Distribution of drug abuse deaths by race/ethnicity and age

according to gender: 1999 ................................................................. 35

2.03 Percentage distribution of drug abuse deaths by episode characteristics

according to gender and race/ethnicity: 1999..................................... 36

2.04 Percentage distribution of drug abuse deaths by episode characteristics

according to age: 1999 ...................................................................... 37

2.05 Percentage distribution of drug abuse deaths by demographic and

episode characteristics according to manner of death: 1999.............. 38

2.06a Drugs mentioned most frequently by medical examiners: 1999 ......... 39

2.06b Alphabetical listing of drugs mentioned most frequently by

medical examiners: 1999 .................................................................. 40

2.06c Drugs mentioned most frequently by medical examiners

according to age of decedent: 1999 ................................................. 41

2.06d Drugs mentioned most frequently by medical examiners

according to race/ethnicity of decedent: 1999.................................... 42
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 v

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

2.06e Drugs mentioned most frequently by medical examiners

according to gender of decedent: 1999.............................................. 43

2.07 Number of mentions and percentage distribution of total deaths

by drug group according to gender: 1999 ......................................... 44

2.08 Number of mentions and percentage distribution of total deaths

by drug group according to race/ethnicity: 1999................................. 45

2.09 Number of mentions and percentage distribution of total deaths

by drug group according to age: 1999 ................................................ 46

2.10 Number of mentions and percentage distribution of total deaths

by drug group according to cause of death: 1999 .............................. 47

2.11 Number of mentions and percentage distribution of total deaths

by drug group according to manner of death: 1999............................ 48

2.12 Percentage distribution of drug mentions by gender and

race/ethnicity according to drug group: 1999 .................................... 49

2.13 Percentage distribution of drug mentions by drug group

according to age: 1999 ..................................................................... 50

2.14 Percentage distribution of drug mentions by cause of death

according to drug group: 1999 ........................................................... 51

2.15 Percentage distribution of drug mentions by manner of death

according to drug group: 1999 ........................................................... 52

2.16 Percentage distribution of drug mentions by route of drug

administration according to drug group: 1999 .................................... 53

2.17 Percentage distribution of drug mentions by number of other drugs

used in combination according to drug group: 1999........................... 54

2.18 Mentions of top 15 drugs reported in combination: 1999.................... 55

2.19 Two-way drug combinations mentioned most frequently in

drug abuse deaths: 1999 ................................................................... 56

3.01 Number of medical examiner drug mentions by drug category

according to metropolitan area: 1999................................................. 58
vi DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

4.01 The consistent panel: Medical examiner jurisdictions (along with

state-county Federal Information Processing Standard [FIPS]

codes), providing data to trend tables, according to metropolitan

area: 1996-1999 ................................................................................ 64

4.02 Distribution of drug abuse deaths by demographic

characteristics: 1996-1999................................................................. 65

4.03 Distribution of drug abuse deaths by episode

characteristics: 1996-1999................................................................. 66

4.04 Distribution of drug mentions by drug group: 1996-1999.................... 67

4.05 Number of drug abuse deaths by metropolitan area: 1996-1999........ 68

Number of mentions of selected top-ranking drugs by

metropolitan area: 1996-1999

4.06a Cocaine .............................................................................................. 69

4.06b Heroin/morphine ................................................................................. 70

4.07 Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group according to

metropolitan area: 1996-1999............................................................ 71
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 vii

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This report presents information on drug abuse deaths that occurred in 1999 and were

reported to the Drug Abuse Warning Network by 139 medical examiner (ME) facilities in 40

metropolitan areas. The data are not representative of all such deaths that occurred in the U.S.

(Table 1.01).

Emergency department data from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) are not

included in this report but are presented in a separate document entitled Detailed Emergency

Department Tables 1999, published exclusively on the Internet.

SYMBOLS USED IN TABLES

Quantity is zero -

Less than 0.05 percent *

Fewer than 10 cases in

percentage distribution or in

denominator for percentage

change ...

Not applicable or not available N/A
viii DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 ix

HIGHLIGHTS

TOTAL DRUG-RELATED EPISODES

n The 139 MEs participating in DAWN for at least 10 months in 1999 reported 11,651

drug abuse deaths involving 29,106 drug mentions in 40 metropolitan areas (Table

1.01).

n Across these 40 metropolitan areas, cocaine was the most frequently mentioned drug

in 1999 (4,864 mentions), followed by heroin/morphine (4,820), and alcohol-incombination (3,916) (Table 2.06a).

n In episodes where the manner of death was accidental or unexpected, heroin/morphine

was the most frequently mentioned drug (51% of deaths) followed by cocaine (50%)

and alcohol-in-combination (37%) (Table 2.11). Among suicides, alcohol-incombination (34%) and cocaine (24%) were the most commonly mentioned drugs.

n More than one drug was involved in 3 out of every 4 (74%) drug abuse deaths reported

to DAWN in 1999 (Table 2.03). The most commonly mentioned pairs of drugs were

This report presents information on deaths related to drug abuse that were reported to

the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) by 139 participating medical examiners

(MEs) in 40 metropolitan areas in 1999. The Office of Applied Studies in the

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is

responsible for the operation of DAWN.

Drug-related deaths discussed in this report do not represent the Nation as a

whole or, necessarily, the total of ME drug abuse cases in the respective

metropolitan areas. Information described in this report reflects only those facilities

that reported to DAWN during all or most (at least 10 months) of 1999.

Comparisons between 1998 and 1999 are based on data from a consistent panel of

MEs, specifically, those MEs that reported to DAWN for at least 10 months in all of the

years 1996 to 1999. The consistent panel used in this report includes data from 134

MEs from 39 metropolitan areas. Because the consistent panel changes for each

time period reported, findings from this consistent panel must not be compared

with findings from consistent panels in earlier DAWN reports. Tests of statistical

significance were not performed on these data.

A drug abuse death (or episode or case) reported to DAWN is either drug-induced or

drug-related. A drug-induced death is any death in which the death was caused

directly by the drug (i.e., a drug overdose). A drug-related death is one in which the

ME concluded that drug use contributed to the death but was not its sole cause.

The term ME drug mention (or ME mention) is used to refer to a substance or drug

that is reported (“mentioned”) in a drug abuse death submitted to DAWN. As many as

6 drugs, plus alcohol-in-combination, can be reported on each case. Thus, the

number of ME drug mentions will always equal or exceed the number of ME episodes.
x DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

cocaine with heroin/morphine (1,973 cases), alcohol with heroin/morphine (1,832

cases), and alcohol with cocaine (1,758 cases) (Table 2.18).

CHANGES FROM 1998 TO 1999

n The total number of drug abuse deaths reported to DAWN increased 15 percent (from

10,056 to 11,570) between 1998 and 1999 (Table 4.02). These numbers are based on

a consistent panel of MEs reporting to DAWN from 1996 to 1999.

n Codeine and marijuana/hashish mentions increased 13 percent, heroin/morphine

mentions increased 11 percent, and cocaine mentions increased 6 percent from 1998

to 1999 across the consistent panel (Table 4.04).

n Participating MEs reported large increases in mentions of meperidine HCl (59%),

oxycodone (53%), diphenylhydantoin sodium (51%), fluoxetine (38%),

methamphetamine/speed (38%), and phenobarbital (36%) between 1998 and 1999

(Table 4.04). There were no notable decreases in drug mentions during this period.

DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF DECEDENTS

n In 1999, drug abuse decedents were much more likely to be male (73%) than female

(27%) (Table 2.01). Drug abuse deaths increased 16 percent among females and

15 percent among males from 1998 to 1999 (Table 4.02).

n In 1999, the majority (72%) of deaths reported to DAWN involved persons age 35 and

older, with 18 percent age 26 to 34, and 9 percent age 18 to 25 (Table 2.01). Children

and adolescents age 6 to 17 accounted for 1 percent of drug-related deaths reported to

DAWN in 1999.

n From 1998 to 1999, the largest increases in drug-related deaths occurred among older

adults. Decedents age 55 and older increased 32 percent and decedents age 45 to 54

increased 28 percent (Table 4.02). Drug-related deaths among adolescents also

increased from 1998 to 1999, with decedents age 18 to 19 increasing 16 percent and

decedents age 12 to 17 increasing 11 percent. Deaths among adults age 26 to 29

increased 12 percent, and deaths among those age 20 to 25 increased 11 percent

between 1998 and 1999.

n White decedents accounted for 60 percent of drug abuse deaths reported to DAWN in

1999, black decedents 26 percent, and Hispanic decedents 11 percent (Table 2.01).

The number of Hispanic decedents increased 28 percent from 1998 to 1999, while

white decedents increased 14 percent, and black decedents increased 12 percent

(Table 4.02).

EPISODE CHARACTERISTICS

n The majority (62%) of the drug abuse deaths reported to DAWN were drug-induced

(overdoses) and usually involved multiple drugs (52%) (Table 2.04).
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 xi

n Among drug abuse deaths in which drugs played a contributory role (35% of the total),

the majority (17%) involved an external physical event, such as a car accident (Table

2.05). For youth age 12 to 17, the largest percentage (46%) of deaths reported to

DAWN was classified as drug-related and involved an external physical event (Table

2.04).

n In the majority of cases (55%) reported to DAWN in 1999, manner of death was

reported as accidental or unexpected, and another 16 percent were reported to be

suicides (Table 2.03). However, the manner of death was unknown in 29 percent of

cases reported to DAWN, making interpretation of these data difficult at best.

DRUG ABUSE DEATHS BY METROPOLITAN AREA

n The metropolitan areas reporting the highest numbers of drug-related deaths to DAWN

in 1999 were Los Angeles (1,896), New York (944), Chicago (879), Philadelphia (860),

Detroit (695), Phoenix (561), and Baltimore (557) (Table 3.01).

n Participating MEs reported 20 or fewer drug abuse deaths in Casper, Fargo,

Indianapolis, Jackson, Milwaukee, and Sioux Falls in 1999 (Table 3.01). However, not

all jurisdictions within these metropolitan areas necessarily participate in DAWN.

n From 1998 to 1999, large increases in drug abuse deaths were reported by MEs in San

Antonio (149%), Los Angeles (67%), Phoenix (44%), Denver (38%), Salt Lake City

(25%), Newark (22%), St. Louis (18%), Buffalo (17%), New Orleans (16%), San

Francisco (12%), and Chicago (10%) (Table 4.05). The largest decreases in drug

abuse deaths were reported in Minneapolis (17%), Washington, DC (15%), Miami

(10%), and Dallas (10%).

COCAINE

n Cocaine was the top-ranking drug in drug abuse ME cases reported in 13 metropolitan

areas in 1999 and ranked second in 14 others.

- Cocaine ranked first in Miami (78% of deaths), Atlanta (67%), Chicago (58%),

Wilmington (58%), New York (52%), Birmingham (49%), Dallas (48%), San

Antonio (46%), Cleveland (45%), Washington, DC (44%), Detroit (40%), Buffalo

(36%), and St. Louis (30%) (Table 3.01).

- Cocaine ranked second in Newark (55%), Baltimore (54%), Philadelphia (52%),

Salt Lake City (51%), San Francisco (44%), Phoenix (42%), New Orleans (38%),

Seattle (35%), Boston (34%), Denver (33%), Los Angeles (29%), and Kansas City

(26%) (Table 3.01). Cocaine tied for second in Minneapolis (34%) and Louisville

(31%).

n Within the consistent panel, large increases and decreases in cocaine mentions were

evident from 1998 to 1999.

- The largest increases in cocaine mentions were reported in San Antonio (150%),

Minneapolis (83%), Phoenix (36%), Los Angeles (28%), Buffalo (27%), Denver
xii DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

(25%), Cleveland (15%), Kansas City (15%), Seattle (13%), Newark (12%), and

Dallas (12%) (Table 4.06a).

- The largest decreases in mentions of cocaine were in Boston (19%), Las Vegas

(15%), Miami (15%), Washington, DC (12%), and San Diego (11%) (Table 4.06a).

n Cocaine ranked first among decedents who were black (64% of episodes), second

among Hispanic decedents (45%), and third among white decedents (32%) in 1999

(Table 2.06d).

n Cocaine ranked first among female decedents (33% of episodes) and second among

male decedents (45%) in 1999 (Table 2.06e).

n In 1999, cocaine was mentioned in at least 39 percent of episodes involving decedents

age 18 to 54 (Tables 2.06c and 2.09). In contrast, cocaine was mentioned in 24

percent of episodes involving decedents age 55 and over and in 16 percent of

episodes involving decedents age 6 to 17.

HEROIN/MORPHINE

n In 1999, heroin/morphine was the top-ranking drug among drug-related deaths

reported to DAWN in 14 metropolitan areas and ranked second in another 9.

- Heroin/morphine ranked first in Baltimore (81%), Portland (74%), Salt Lake City

(62%), Newark (59%), Boston (56%), Seattle (56%), San Francisco (53%),

Philadelphia (53%), Norfolk (50%), San Diego (40%), Denver (40%), Las Vegas

(38%), and Los Angeles (34%) (Table 3.01). Heroin/morphine tied for first in

Nashua (23%).

- Heroin/morphine ranked second in Chicago (52%), Wilmington (48%), New York

(46%), Washington, DC (43%), Buffalo (35%), Detroit (34%), Cleveland (32%),

and Atlanta (17%) (Table 3.01). Heroin/morphine tied for second in Minneapolis

(34%).

n Within the consistent panel, large increases and decreases in heroin/morphine

mentions were evident from 1998 to 1999.

- The largest increases in heroin/morphine mentions were reported in San Antonio

(157%), Denver (70%), Buffalo (54%), Los Angeles (45%), Newark (35%), New

Orleans (34%), San Francisco (16%), Baltimore (15%), Dallas (14%), Chicago

(13%), Portland (12%), and Salt Lake City (11%) (Table 4.06b).

- The largest decreases in mentions of heroin/morphine were reported in Miami

(20%), Cleveland (16%), San Diego (13%), Washington, DC (12%), and Seattle

(10%) (Table 4.06b).

n In 1999, heroin/morphine was the most commonly mentioned drug among Hispanic

(47% of episodes) and white (41%) decedents and the second most commonly

mentioned drug among decedents who were black (39%) (Table 2.06d).
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 xiii

n Heroin/morphine ranked first among male (45% of episodes) and second among

female decedents (31%) in 1999 (Table 2.06e).

n Heroin/morphine ranked first or second in most age groups in 1999. Heroin/morphine

was involved in at least 41 percent of drug-related deaths among decedents age 18 to

54, 27 percent of deaths among those age 55 and over, and 26 percent of deaths

among those age 6 to 17 (Tables 2.06c and 2.09).

MARIJUANA/HASHISH

n Marijuana/hashish was the seventh-ranking drug reported by DAWN MEs in 1999 (6%

of episodes) (Table 2.06a) and was usually mentioned in combination with other drugs

(Table 2.17).

n In ME cases reported to DAWN in 1999, marijuana/hashish was most frequently

mentioned in combination with alcohol (211 mentions), cocaine (157), and

heroin/morphine (147) (Table 2.18).

n ME reports of marijuana/hashish declined with the age of the decedent. In 1999,

marijuana/hashish was the second most frequently reported drug among decedents

age 6 to 17 (20% of episodes), after heroin/morphine (Table 2.06c). Marijuana/hashish

reports declined across the age groups from 17 percent of episodes among those age

18 to 25 to 2 percent of episodes among those age 55 and over (Table 2.09).

n Among the metropolitan areas reporting to DAWN in 1999, marijuana/hashish tied for

first in Omaha (38%), ranked third in Dallas (30%), Louisville (26%), and Kansas City

(23%), and tied for third in St. Louis (22%) (Table 3.01).

METHAMPHETAMINE/SPEED

n Methamphetamine/speed ranked sixth in 1999 among drugs mentioned by DAWN MEs

(6% of episodes) (Table 2.06a) and usually was mentioned in combination with other

drugs (Table 2.17).

n In ME cases reported to DAWN in 1999, methamphetamine/speed was mentioned

frequently in combination with amphetamine (392 mentions), heroin/morphine (171),

cocaine (169), and alcohol (168) (Table 2.18).

n Methamphetamine/speed was involved in 6 to 8 percent of episodes involving

decedents age 6 to 54, and in 2 percent of episodes involving decedents age 55 and

older in 1999 (Table 2.09).

n Methamphetamine/speed ranked second in Oklahoma City (23%), third in San Diego

(25%), and was reported frequently in other western cities: Las Vegas (18%), Phoenix

(17%), Salt Lake City (16%), San Francisco (16%), and Seattle (12%) (Table 3.01).
xiv DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

NON-MEDICAL USES OF LICIT DRUGS

Not all ME cases involving prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are reportable to

DAWN. DAWN cases do not include accidental ingestion or inhalation of a substance with no

intent of abuse, or adverse reactions to prescription or OTC medications taken as prescribed.

Accidental overdoses of OTC or prescription drugs taken as directed are reportable only when

found in combination with an illicit drug. Alcohol is reportable only when used in combination

with another drug.

n In DAWN, alcohol is reported only when present with another reportable substance.

Findings for alcohol-in-combination:

- Alcohol-in-combination was present in 34 percent of ME cases reported to DAWN

in 1999 (Table 2.06a). Although alcohol-in-combination ranked third overall (Table

2.06a), it was the most frequently mentioned drug in episodes in which the manner

of death was suicide (Table 2.11).

- In 1999, alcohol-in-combination was most frequently reported with heroin/morphine

(1,832 mentions), cocaine (1,758), codeine (478), diazepam (261), and marijuana/

hashish (211) (Table 2.18). It is important to remember, however, that other drugs

may also have been mentioned in these deaths.

- ME reports of alcohol-in-combination ranked first in 8 metropolitan areas and

ranked second in 9 others in 1999 (Table 3.01). Alcohol-in-combination ranked

first in Phoenix (46%), New Orleans (40%), Louisville (39%), Minneapolis (37%),

Kansas City (27%), and Oklahoma City (27%). Alcohol-in-combination tied for first

in Omaha (38%) and Nashua (23%). Alcohol-in-combination ranked second in

Portland (40%), Dallas (39%), Miami (38%), San Antonio (38%), Birmingham

(37%), San Diego (33%), Norfolk (33%), Las Vegas (32%), and St. Louis (28%).

n Findings for prescription/OTC drugs:

- Among drug-related deaths reported to DAWN, codeine was the most frequently

mentioned prescription/OTC drug in 1999 (with 1,395 mentions), followed by

diazepam (811), methadone (643), diphenhydramine (641), and amitriptyline (477)

(Table 2.06a).

- Among the commonly mentioned prescription/OTC drugs in 1999, diazepam tied

for second in Louisville (31%), methadone ranked third in Birmingham (16%), and

amitriptyline and diazepam tied for second in Omaha (12%) (Table 3.01). Codeine

was reported in more than 20 percent of drug abuse deaths by MEs in San

Francisco (36%), San Diego (24%), Philadelphia (22%), and Phoenix (20%).

Amphetamine was reported frequently in San Diego (21%), Oklahoma City (16%),

Salt Lake City (16%), Phoenix (12%), and Las Vegas (12%). Diphenhydramine

was reported frequently in Dallas (15%) and Louisville (13%). Diazepam was

reported in 16 percent of deaths in Las Vegas, and 14 percent of deaths in St.

Louis, Kansas City, San Antonio, and Detroit.

- Among prescription/OTC drugs with more than 100 mentions from the consistent

ME panel, the largest increases between 1998 and 1999 occurred for meperidine

HCl (59%), oxycodone (53%), diphenylhydatoin sodium (51%), fluoxetine (38%),
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 xv

phenobarbital (36%), diphenhydramine (28%), amphetamine (18%), amitriptyline

(18%), methadone (15%), meprobamate (13%), codeine (13%), and

d-Propoxyphene (10%) (Table 4.04). Deaths involving inhalants/solvents/aerosols

increased 25 percent.
xvi DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 1

CHAPTER 1:

INTRODUCTION

his report presents information on drug abuse-related medical examiner (ME) cases

collected through the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) for calendar year 1999. The

Office of Applied Studies (OAS) in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA) is responsible for the operation of DAWN data collection and for

publication of reports based upon DAWN data.

ME participation in DAWN is voluntary and not based on a scientifically based (statistical)

sample. Therefore, information described in this report reflects only those facilities that

participated in DAWN during all or most (at least 10 months) of 1999. Counts of drug-related

deaths reported to DAWN by MEs do not represent the Nation as a whole or, necessarily,

the total of ME drug abuse cases in the respective metropolitan areas.1

This report presents only ME data. The DAWN system also collects data on drug-related

visits to a national probability sample of hospital emergency departments (EDs). DAWN ED

data are published semi-annually in separate reports – preliminary mid-year and final year-end

estimates as well as detailed tables (published exclusively on the Internet2) from the DAWN ED

component.

This report is similar in format to the Annual Medical Examiner Report for 1998, which was

published in March 2000. This chapter presents background information on DAWN system data

collection methods, summary information on participating MEs, a description of data limitations,

and a discussion of the format of the report and the tables included.

Chapter 2 summarizes information on drug abuse deaths reported to DAWN by

participating MEs. Chapter 3 provides information by metropolitan area. The information in

Chapters 2 and 3 is based on data from all medical examiner facilities that participated in

DAWN in 1999.

Chapter 4 presents trend tables for 1996 to 1999 based on a consistent panel of MEs

reporting for the 4-year period. The number of ME facilities participating in DAWN in any one

metropolitan area may vary from year to year. As a result, it is necessary to use a consistent

panel of facilities with similar reporting histories to examine trends over time. A consistent panel

is composed of the subset of total ME facilities reporting data for at least 10 months of a

contiguous number of years. In future reports, new ME jurisdictions will be included as the

recent ME recruits have more complete reporting histories. Findings from this consistent

panel must not be compared with findings from earlier consistent panels.

 

1

 Metropolitan area names are used in this report as a means of reference. However, participating ME jurisdictions often do not

coincide exactly with the official definitions of primary metropolitan statistical areas (PMSAs) or metropolitan statistical areas

(MSAs). For example, Jefferson County, AL is only one of 5 counties in the Birmingham MSA. For detailed information on

metropolitan area definitions, go to http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metrodef.html.

2

 DAWN reports are available on the SAMHSA website at http://www.samhsa.gov/oas/p0000018.htm.

T
2 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

The chapters are followed by appendixes that contain the DAWN ME data collection form

(Appendix A) and a glossary that defines terms used in connection with the DAWN data

(Appendix B).

OVERVIEW OF 1999 MEDICAL EXAMINER DATA

The DAWN ME component provides information on the consequences of drug use in

selected areas of the U.S. as manifested by drug-induced or drug-related deaths reported by

participating medical examiners and coroners. In 1999, 139 medical examiner facilities in 40

metropolitan areas throughout the coterminous U.S. submitted reports to DAWN. Out of

166,104 total deaths, the participating MEs submitted reports of 11,651 drug-related deaths

(Table 1.01).

Table 1.01 shows the total number of ME jurisdictions for each metropolitan area; the

number of these MEs participating in DAWN; the total number of deaths from all causes

handled by participating MEs; the total number of deaths related to drug abuse that was

handled by these MEs; the rate of drug abuse deaths per 1,000 total cases handled by the MEs;

the total number of drug mentions reported in connection with these deaths; and the average

number of drug mentions per case. Most metropolitan areas encompass multiple ME

jurisdictions. Please note that it is relatively uncommon to have full participation of every ME

with jurisdiction within a given metropolitan area. Out of 254 ME jurisdictions in those

metropolitan areas listed, 139 participated in DAWN in 1999. Out of 40 metropolitan areas with

some ME participation in 1999, only 11 included all ME jurisdictions in the area.

Table 1.02 lists the counties covered by the ME jurisdictions that participated in DAWN

during 1999. Information presented in Chapters 2 and 3 of this report is based on data from

these jurisdictions. As shown in Table 1.03, all but 3 of the participating MEs submitted data for

the full 12 months of 1999. Two ME jurisdictions in Providence, Rhode Island, submitted data

for less than 10 months; consequently, those data were excluded from analyses and Providence

does not appear on Table 1.02. The ME in Greenville, South Carolina that participated in 1998

did not submit data in 1999. The participating MEs included in the consistent panel for 1996 to

1999 are shown in Table 4.01 (Chapter 4).

BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY

DAWN is an ongoing drug abuse data collection system. The major objectives of the

system are:

n To identify substances associated with drug abuse episodes that are reported by

DAWN-affiliated facilities;

n To monitor drug abuse patterns and trends and to detect new drugs of abuse and new

drug combinations;

n To assess health hazards associated with drug abuse; and

n To provide data for national, state, and local drug abuse policy and program planning.
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 3

Within each facility participating in the DAWN system, a designated reporter identifies

deaths that meet the DAWN case criteria and submits an episode report for each. To be

reported to DAWN, the decedent must be between the ages of 6 and 97 and meet the following

criteria:

n The death was drug-induced (i.e., drug[s] directly caused the death) or drug-related

(i.e., drug abuse was a contributing factor in the death);

n The death involved an illegal drug or nonmedical use of a legal drug; and

n The reason for taking the substance was for psychic effect, dependence, or suicide.

Nonmedical uses of legal drugs include:

n The use of prescription drugs in a manner inconsistent with accepted medical practice

or

n The use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs contrary to approved labeling or indications

for specific physiological conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease).

n Deaths involving the following circumstances are not reportable to DAWN:

n Drug abuse is unrelated to the death (e.g., a history of drug abuse when no drugs are

present in the decedent’s system);

n Accidental ingestion or inhalation of a substance with no intent of abuse;

n Adverse reactions to prescription or OTC medications taken as prescribed or labeled;

n Noncompliance cases in which individuals took less or accidentally took more

medication than prescribed or directed by label instructions; and

n Drug consumption to conceal substances from law enforcement and avoid arrest.

Drug abuse deaths most frequently involve drug overdoses, but they also include deaths in

which drug usage was a contributing factor. Confirmation of drug abuse is not required for

DAWN cases.

A medical examiner report to DAWN may have multiple drug mentions. Up to 6 different

substances, in addition to alcohol-in-combination, can be recorded for each reportable case. As

a result, although the cause and manner of death are associated with each drug reported to

DAWN, not every reported substance is, by itself, the cause of death. This has implications for

interpretation of DAWN data, especially when relating drug mention patterns to specific motives.

On the other hand, substances that contributed to a drug abuse death may occasionally go

unreported or undetected. In 1999, an average of 2.5 substances was reported for each DAWN

episode (Table 1.01).

Alcohol is reported to DAWN only when found in combination with another reportable

substance. Thus, the data on alcohol-in-combination tabulated in this report do not capture ME

cases involving alcohol as the sole substance of abuse, nor are such data available from other

DAWN sources.
4 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

In addition, each report of a drug abuse death includes demographic information about the

decedent and information about the circumstances of the death. (The DAWN data collection

form is reproduced in Appendix A.) The reporter also submits a summary of the total number of

deaths handled by the ME and the number of cases related to drug abuse.

This report continues the use of special tabulation methods for ME data introduced with the

Annual Data 1988 Report. This report includes an expansion of the heroin/morphine category

to include opiates not specified as to type. This report describes all drug abuse deaths reported

by participating MEs except the following:

n Cases in which AIDS was reported;

n Deaths in which the only drug mentioned was "drug unknown"; and

n Deaths by homicide.

DATA LIMITATIONS

A number of quality control procedures are used to ensure that DAWN data are as accurate

and methodologically consistent as possible. These procedures include:

n Training personnel responsible for collecting the data within participating facilities;

n Providing printed manuals and other materials that specify data collection methods,

definitions, and requirements;

n Monitoring reporting practices and problem resolution by a staff of traveling field

liaisons assigned to 5 regions of the country;

n In-house manual editing of data collection forms with follow-up to resolve problems;

n Computer editing of data to identify problems; and

n Reabstracting studies at participating facilities to monitor the accuracy and

completeness of reporting on a periodic basis and, as necessary, on a special study

basis to review unusual trends.

DAWN collects information about only those drug abuse episodes that have resulted in a

death and, subsequently, have been identified and reported as drug-induced or drug-related by

a facility participating in DAWN. Although standard instruction manuals and training are

provided to each DAWN reporter, the specific methods and procedures used to identify drug

abuse deaths and the drugs involved may vary from facility to facility. For example, some MEs

may include cases involving circumstantial evidence. Other MEs may report only drug abuse

deaths confirmed through toxicologic analyses.

In some instances, information about deaths related to drug abuse is reported some time

after the death occurred. Reporting delays are common because MEs may need to wait until

laboratory tests or autopsy reports are completed to ascertain or confirm that a death involved

drug abuse. ME data are approximately 80 percent complete after 6 months and fully complete
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 5

after 12 months. This report was prepared with data for deaths that occurred in 1999 and were

submitted by the end of July 2000.

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN INTERPRETING DAWN DATA

When reporting and interpreting findings from this report, the reader needs to recognize

what DAWN data are and what they are not. Consider the following when interpreting DAWN

ME data:

n None of the differences discussed in this report have been subjected to formal

statistical testing. Therefore, small differences generally have been ignored in the

discussion of results, which focuses on larger scale changes and comparisons,

particularly among selected drugs of interest. Statistically based comparisons are not

conducted for the following reasons:

- DAWN ME data do not measure the frequency or prevalence of drug use in the

population.

- DAWN ME data do not capture the full set of drug-related deaths in the U.S. nor

can these data be summed or weighted to produce national estimates.

- Counts of drug-related deaths reported to DAWN by MEs do not represent the

Nation as a whole or, necessarily, the total of ME drug abuse cases in the

respective metropolitan areas. Because DAWN participation among MEs is

voluntary, the number of ME facilities within a metropolitan area may vary from

year to year.

n To examine trends over time, this report uses a consistent panel of facilities from 1996

to 1999. Findings from this consistent panel should not be compared with findings

from earlier consistent panels.

n Readers should note that percentage changes derived from small numbers of cases

can be extremely volatile and therefore misleading.

n For most variables presented in this report, data were missing for some cases because

information was either unreported or unknown. The missing data are not necessarily

the result of insufficient responsiveness, training, or willingness on the part of the

facility personnel to report fully. DAWN is basically a file review system. If an item

does not appear on the official facility record, it cannot be reported on the DAWN form.

The magnitude of missing data is reported in the distributions presented throughout

this report.

n Because alcohol is reportable to DAWN only when used concomitantly with another

drug, it is listed in the tables as "alcohol-in-combination."

n Data on drug mentions are organized into selected "drug groups" that may represent

either the general groupings of "therapeutic classes" or the more discrete "drug

categories." The 9 selected therapeutic classes and 50 selected drug categories

reflect the most frequently mentioned drugs. The most frequently mentioned individual

drugs are shown in Tables 2.06a, 2.06b, 2.18, and 2.19. Some of the drug categories
6 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

in these tables are more detailed than the drug groups and therapeutic classes

presented in other tables. The reader may find it helpful to review the footnotes before

using these tables. The metropolitan area tables in Chapter 3 and trend tables in

Chapter 4 focus on a selection of frequently reported drug categories.

n When drug mentions are expressed as percentages within a distribution across drug

groups, these percentages are based on the total number of drug abuse episodes.

Total episodes represent a smaller number than the total number of mentions. As

several drug mentions can be reported for a single episode, the percentages for the

respective drugs usually total more than 100 percent. Dividing these totals by 100

yields the average number of mentions per episode for the corresponding distributions.
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 7

CHAPTER 2:

SUMMARY OF 1999

DRUG ABUSE DEATHS AND

DRUG MENTIONS

his chapter presents data on drug abuse deaths that occurred in 1999 and on drugs

mentioned in connection with these deaths, as reported by medical examiners (MEs)

participating in the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN). The data are based on reports

from 139 ME facilities located in 40 metropolitan areas.

DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

Among the 11,651 drug abuse deaths reported to DAWN for 1999, 73 percent were male

and 27 percent were female (Table 2.01). White decedents accounted for 60 percent of

reported cases, black decedents for 26 percent, and Hispanic decedents for 11 percent.

The majority (72%) of deaths reported to DAWN involved persons age 35 and older. Nine

percent of reported cases were age 18 to 25, and 1 percent were under age 18 (Table 2.01).

Age distributions varied by race/ethnicity. Black decedents tended to be older than white

decedents (79% of black decedents were age 35 and over compared to 71% of white

decedents) and white decedents older than Hispanic decedents (63% of Hispanic decedents

were age 35 and over) (Table 2.02).

Overall, female decedents were more likely to be older adults than were male decedents

(14% of females were age 55 and over compared to 10% of males) (Table 2.02).

Decedents under age 18 were infrequent, generally comprising 2 percent or less of

reported cases (Table 2.02).

EPISODE CHARACTERISTICS

Tables 2.03 and 2.04 present distributions of episode characteristics (drug concomitance

and cause and manner of death) by demographic characteristics of the decedent.

Most drug abuse deaths (62% of those reported to DAWN) were attributable to an overdose

and usually involved multiple drugs (Table 2.03). This varied little by gender or race/ethnicity of

the decedent (Table 2.03). Among youth age 6 to 11, the largest percentage (50%) of reported

deaths were classified as drug-related (not drug-induced by overdose) and usually involved a

physiological condition (43%) (Table 2.04). For adolescents age 12 to 17, the majority (55%) of

reported deaths were classified as drug-related and usually involved an external physical event

(e.g., a car accident).

Among drug abuse deaths in which drugs played a contributory role (35% of the total), the

majority of cases (17%) involved an external physical event (Table 2.03). Another 12 percent

involved a physiological condition. A case is categorized as physiological if the death was

T
8 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

caused by the abuse of a drug in combination with some preexisting and potentially deadly

condition, such as a chronic heart condition or diabetes, unrelated to drug abuse. In 6 percent

of reported cases, drug abuse and a medical disorder were reported as the cause of death.

Deaths caused by a medical disorder or disease (e.g., bacterial endocarditis, hepatitis, and

tetanus) contracted due to drug abuse would be reported in the medical disorder category.

In the majority (55%) of cases, manner of death was reported as accidental or unexpected;

another 16 percent were classified as suicides (Table 2.03). However, manner of death was

reported as "other" or "unknown" in 29 percent of cases reported to DAWN, making

interpretation of these data difficult at best (Tables 2.03 and 2.04).

Overall, most (74%) deaths classified as accidental/unexpected were the result of an

overdose usually involving multiple drugs (Table 2.05). One-half of deaths reported as suicides

involved overdoses, while 46 percent involved the drug and an external physical event.

DRUG USE CHARACTERISTICS

Specific drugs reported to DAWN in connection with 1999 ME episodes are shown in

Tables 2.06a through 2.19. In Tables 2.06a through 2.11, the percentages are calculated

relative to the total number of reported deaths (episodes). Percentages may sum to more than

100 because multiple drugs are frequently mentioned in connection with each death.

Cocaine was the drug most frequently reported by MEs participating in DAWN (Table

2.06a). It was mentioned in 42 percent of all cases (Table 2.06a). The next most frequently

reported drugs were heroin/morphine (in 41% of reported cases), alcohol-in-combination (34%),

and codeine (12%). (Note that Table 2.06a reports these drugs in order of frequency, and Table

2.06b reports the same drugs in alphabetical order.)

In the youngest age group (6 to 17 years), heroin/morphine was the most frequently

mentioned drug (in 26% of cases), followed by marijuana/hashish (20%), cocaine (16%),

lidocaine (9%), and alcohol-in-combination (9%) (Table 2.06c). Heroin/morphine was also the

most frequently mentioned drug among decedents age 18 to 25 (42%), followed by cocaine

(39%), alcohol-in-combination (29%), and marijuana/hashish (17%). Cocaine, heroin/morphine,

alcohol-in-combination, and codeine were ranked first, second, third, and fourth among

decedents age 26 to 34 and 35 and over.

Heroin/morphine ranked first among white decedents (41%), followed by alcohol-incombination (33%) and cocaine (32%) (Table 2.06d). Heroin/morphine also ranked first among

Hispanic decedents (47%), followed by cocaine (45%) and alcohol-in-combination (43%).

Among black decedents, cocaine was the most frequently mentioned drug (64%), followed by

heroin/morphine (39%) and alcohol-in-combination (31%). Codeine ranked fourth for white,

black, and Hispanic decedents. Diazepam was more common among white decedents

(mentioned in 9% of deaths) than among Hispanic (4%) or black decedents (3%) reported to

DAWN. Methamphetamine/speed and amphetamine were more common among white (8% and

5%) and Hispanic (5% and 3%) decedents than among black decedents (no more than 1% for

either drug). Quinine ranked eighth (mentioned in 4% of deaths) among black decedents but

was not among the top 15 drugs for Hispanic or white decedents.

Heroin/morphine and cocaine were the most frequently mentioned drugs among male

decedents (45%) (Table 2.06e). Among female decedents, cocaine was the most frequently
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 9

mentioned drug (33%), followed by heroin/morphine (31%). For both males and females,

alcohol-in-combination ranked third, and codeine ranked fourth. However, among those drugs

with at least 100 mentions, diphenhydramine (mentioned in 9% of female deaths), amitriptyline

(7%), d-Propoxyphene (7%), acetaminophen (7%), fluoxetine (5%), doxepin (3%), and

meprobamate (3%) were reported at least twice as often among female decedents as among

males (Tables 2.06e and 2.07).

Tables 2.07, 2.08, and 2.09 show in greater detail mentions and percentages of total

deaths by drug group according to gender, race/ethnicity, and age, respectively.

Table 2.10 shows mentions and percentages of total deaths by drug group according to

cause of death. Heroin/morphine and cocaine ranked first and second, respectively, when the

drug was reported as the direct cause of the death, and alcohol-in-combination ranked third,

when there were multiple drugs reported. In drug-related deaths, cocaine ranked first whether

the death involved drugs and an external physical event (44%), a physiological condition (43%),

or a medical disorder (28%). Heroin/morphine and alcohol-in-combination rounded out the top 3

drugs for deaths that involved a physiological condition or a medical disorder. Among deaths

that involved an external physical event, alcohol-in-combination ranked second (41%), followed

by marijuana/hashish (16%).

Table 2.11 presents drug mentions and percentages of total deaths according to manner of

death. In cases where the death was accidental or unexpected, heroin/morphine (51%) was the

most frequently mentioned drug, followed by cocaine (50%) and alcohol-in-combination (37%).

Among suicides reported to DAWN, the top ranking drugs were alcohol-in-combination (34%)

and cocaine (24%). Heroin/morphine, other/unspecified tranquilizers and antidepressants, and

diazepam were each mentioned in 11 percent of suicide deaths reported to DAWN.

Tables 2.12 through 2.16 show how mentions of specific drugs were distributed across

gender and race/ethnicity of decedent (Table 2.12), age of decedent (2.13), causes of death

(2.14), manners of death (2.15), and routes of the drug’s administration (2.16).

Male decedents accounted for 71 percent of all drug mentions reported to DAWN (Table

2.12) and, among drugs reported at least 100 times, a disproportionate share of mentions of

marijuana/hashish (83%), alcohol-in-combination (81%), heroin/morphine (80%), cocaine (78%),

and methamphetamine/speed (78%). Females, on the other hand, who represented 28 percent

of all drug mentions, accounted for a higher than average share of mentions of the tranquilizers

meprobamate (48%) and alprazolam (42%); the analgesics acetaminophen (47%),

d-Propoxyphene (45%), aspirin (39%), oxycodone (39%), meperidine HCl (38%), and

methadone (32%); the antidepressants fluoxetine (48%), amitriptyline (47%), and doxepin

(42%); diphenhydramine (42%); and phenobarbital (41%).

Among drugs reported at least 100 times, white decedents, who constituted 65 percent of

all mentions, had the highest proportions of mentions of oxycodone (87%), alprazolam (87%),

meprobamate (86%), fluoxetine (86%), d-Propoxyphene (84%), amphetamine (83%), diazepam

(81%), and methamphetamine/speed (80%) (Table 2.12). Black decedents, who accounted for

23 percent of all mentions, had a disproportionate share of mentions of cocaine (40%) and

diphenylhydantoin sodium (32%), while Hispanic decedents, who accounted for 10 percent of all

mentions, had a disproportionate share of mentions of diphenylhydantoin sodium (16%),

alcohol-in-combination (14%), heroin/morphine (13%), and phenobarbital (13%).
10 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

Substantial variations were found in the distribution of particular drugs across age groups

(again considering drugs mentioned at least 100 times). Although decedents age 6 to 17

accounted for only 0.8 percent of drug mentions, this age group had 7 percent of mentions of

inhalants/solvents/aerosols, 4 percent of marijuana/hashish mentions, and 3 percent of aspirin

and phenobarbital mentions (Table 2.13). Decedents who were young adults age 18 to 25

accounted for 8 percent of all drug mentions reported to DAWN, but much larger shares of

marijuana/hashish (26%), inhalants/solvents/aerosols (12%), amphetamine (12%), and

methamphetamine/speed (11%) mentions. Similarly, amphetamine (27% of mentions) and

methamphetamine/speed (23%) were found in disproportionate numbers among decedents age

26 to 34, who accounted for 18 percent of total mentions reported to DAWN. Decedents age 35

to 44 accounted for 37 percent of drug mentions overall, but were found in proportionately

higher numbers of meprobamate (47%), oxycodone (44%), and alprazolam (43%) mentions.

Adults age 45 to 54 accounted for 26 percent of total mentions but more than 30 percent of

methadone (34%), doxepin (33%), fluoxetine (32%), d-Propoxyphene (31%), and amitriptyline

(31%) mentions. Finally, decedents age 55 and over, who accounted for 10 percent of total

mentions reported to DAWN, exhibited disproportionate mentions of aspirin (28%),

inhalants/solvents/aerosols (20%), phenobarbital (19%), meperidine HCl (18%), and

acetaminophen (17%).

Among ME cases reported to DAWN, mentions of inhalants/solvents/aerosols were

disproportionately high among 3 causes of death: drug and medical disorder (28%), drug and

physiological condition (20%), and direct single drug (9%) (Table 2.14). Marijuana/hashish

(47%), amphetamine (37%), and methamphetamine/speed (31%) were disproportionately

represented among causes involving external physical events.

Direct single-drug causes of death were quite rare at 4 percent of mentions (Table 2.14).

Drugs that contributed a disproportionate number of direct single-drug mentions, among those

with at least 100 mentions, were aspirin (14%), heroin/morphine (9%),

inhalants/solvents/aerosols (9%), oxycodone (7%), and methadone (7%).

We noted previously that manner of death was reported as “other” or “unknown” in 29

percent of cases reported to DAWN. Table 2.15 shows that this lack of specific information on

manner of death is not isolated to particular drugs. Considering those drugs with more than 100

mentions, reports of “unknown” manner of death range from 23 to 58 percent.

As shown in Table 2.16, data on route of administration are even less frequently available.

Overall, 57 percent of drug mentions have route of administration reported to DAWN as

“unknown.” Among the most frequently mentioned drugs, heroin/morphine and cocaine, route

was “unknown” for 64 and 46 percent of mentions.

DRUGS PRESENT IN COMBINATIONS

We noted earlier that ME reports to DAWN record an average of 2.5 drugs per episode.

Table 2.17 shows the extent to which ME cases reported to DAWN involve multiple drug

mentions per case. This illustrates rather dramatically the extent to which cause of death, which

is reported for the case, cannot be attributed to one particular drug from these data. Overall,

only 11 percent of episodes reported to DAWN involve a single drug, and 63 percent of drug

mentions occur in episodes involving 3 or more drugs. Among drugs mentioned at least 100

times, those most likely to be mentioned alone are inhalants/solvents/aerosols (35%),

marijuana/hashish (28%), cocaine (25%), diphenylhydantoin sodium (19%), and aspirin (19%).
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 11

However, more than 30 percent of episodes involving these 5 drugs also involve 2 or more other

drugs.

Mentions of the top 15 drugs in pairwise combinations are shown in Table 2.18. (When

using this table and the one that follows, remember that only pairs of drugs are being shown,

whereas some drugs are mentioned frequently in 3- or 4-way combinations. Thus, 3-drug

episodes have 3 pairs, and 4-drug episodes have 6 pairs.) Considering only pairs, cocaine and

heroin/morphine were mentioned most frequently (1,973 times) in combination. This pair was

followed in frequency by alcohol and heroin/morphine (1,832 mentions), alcohol and cocaine

(1,758), and codeine and heroin/morphine (1,107).

Table 2.19 shows the 80 most frequently occurring pairs of drugs reported in combination,

along with columns to indicate whether 6 frequently mentioned drugs are involved in the paired

combination. Within each pair, the drugs are shown in alphabetical order. Among the 39 pairs

reported 100 or more times, 13 involve alcohol. Aside from these and the combinations noted

above, frequently reported pairs include cocaine with codeine (479 mentions), amphetamine

with methamphetamine/speed (392), amitriptyline with nortriptyline (322), diazepam with

heroin/morphine (299), heroin/morphine with quinine (226), cocaine with diazepam (218),

diphenhydramine with heroin/morphine (195), cocaine with methadone (175), heroin/morphine

with methamphetamine/speed (171), cocaine with methamphetamine/speed (169), cocaine with

marijuana/hashish (157), heroin/morphine with methadone (151), heroin/morphine with

unspecified benzodiazepine (151), cocaine with diphenhydramine (150), heroin/morphine with

marijuana/hashish (147), carisoprodol with meprobamate (136), cocaine and quinine (134),

codeine with diazepam (133), cocaine with lidocaine (129), amitriptyline with heroin/morphine

(129), heroin/morphine with nortriptyline (118), heroin/morphine with lidocaine (105),

acetaminophen with heroin/morphine (102), and heroin/morphine with hydrocodone (102).

Among these, carisoprodol, lidocaine, meprobamate, quinine, and unspecified benzodiazepine

are not themselves among the 15 most frequently mentioned drugs in ME cases reported to

DAWN.
12 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 13

CHAPTER 3:

DRUG ABUSE DEATHS AND DRUG MENTIONS

IN 1999 ACCORDING TO

METROPOLITAN AREA

his chapter presents data on drug abuse deaths and drug mentions reported for 1999 by 34

of the 40 metropolitan areas participating in the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN).

The reader should note that the types of cases referred for medical examiner review and

ME reporting practices vary across jurisdictions, making comparisons of DAWN drug abuse

deaths across metropolitan areas problematic. One metropolitan area that reported for less

than 10 months and 6 that reported fewer than 20 drug abuse deaths are excluded from the

following discussion.

The metropolitan areas that reported the greatest numbers of drug abuse deaths in 1999

were Los Angeles (1,896), New York (944), Chicago (879), Philadelphia (860), Detroit (695),

Phoenix (561), and Baltimore (557) (Tables 1.01 and 3.01). These same 7 metropolitan areas

reported the highest numbers of deaths involving cocaine.

Table 3.01 presents the numbers of drug abuse deaths for selected drug categories across

the metropolitan areas reporting to DAWN.3 Cocaine was the top-ranking drug in 13

metropolitan areas, and it ranked second in 15 others. Cocaine ranked first in Miami (78% of

deaths), Atlanta (67%), Chicago (58%), Wilmington (58%), New York (52%), Birmingham (49%),

Dallas (48%), San Antonio (46%), Cleveland (45%), Washington, DC (44%), Detroit (40%),

Buffalo (36%), and St. Louis (30%). Cocaine ranked second in Newark (55%), Baltimore (54%),

Philadelphia (52%), Salt Lake City (51%), San Francisco (44%), Phoenix (42%), New Orleans

(38%), Seattle (35%), Boston (34%), Denver (33%), Los Angeles (29%), Kansas City (26%),

and Nashua (19%). Cocaine tied for second in Minneapolis (34%) and Louisville (31%).

Heroin/morphine was the top-ranking drug in 14 metropolitan areas: Baltimore (81%),

Portland (74%), Salt Lake City (62%), Newark (59%), Boston (56%), Seattle (56%), San

Francisco (53%), Philadelphia (53%), Norfolk (50%), San Diego (40%), Denver (40%), Las

Vegas (38%), and Los Angeles (34%). Heroin/morphine tied for first in Nashua (23%).

Heroin/morphine ranked second in another 9 metropolitan areas: Chicago (52%), Wilmington

(48%), New York (46%), Washington, DC (43%), Buffalo (35%), Detroit (34%), Cleveland

(32%), and Atlanta (17%). Heroin/morphine tied for second in Minneapolis (34%).

Alcohol-in-combination ranked first in 8 metropolitan areas participating in DAWN: Phoenix

(46%), New Orleans (40%), Louisville (39%), Minneapolis (37%), Kansas City (27%), and

Oklahoma City (27%). Alcohol-in-combination tied for first in Omaha (38%) and Nashua (23%).

Alcohol-in-combination ranked second in 9 metropolitan areas: Portland (40%), Dallas (39%),

Miami (38%), San Antonio (38%), Birmingham (37%), San Diego (33%), Norfolk (33%), Las

Vegas (32%), and St. Louis (28%).

 

3

 Breakdowns by age, race/ethnicity, and gender are not presented by metropolitan area due to the small numbers in many areas.

T
14 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

Methamphetamine/speed ranked second in Oklahoma City (23%), third in San Diego

(25%), and was reported frequently in other western cities: Las Vegas (18%), Phoenix (17%),

Salt Lake City (16%), San Francisco (16%), and Seattle (12%).

Marijuana/hashish tied for first in Omaha (38%), ranked third in Dallas (30%), Louisville

(26%), and Kansas City (23%), and tied for third in St. Louis (22%).

Among the other commonly mentioned drugs, diazepam tied for second in Louisville (31%),

methadone ranked third in Birmingham (16%), and amitriptyline and diazepam tied for second in

Omaha (12%). Codeine was reported in more than 20 percent of drug abuse deaths by MEs in

San Francisco (36%), San Diego (24%), Philadelphia (22%), and Phoenix (20%). Amphetamine

was reported frequently in San Diego (21%), Oklahoma City (16%), Salt Lake City (16%),

Phoenix (12%), and Las Vegas (12%). Diphenhydramine was reported frequently in Dallas

(15%) and Louisville (13%). Diazepam was reported in 16 percent of deaths in Las Vegas, and

in 14 percent of deaths in St. Louis, Kansas City, San Antonio, and Detroit.
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 15

CHAPTER 4:

TRENDS IN NUMBERS OF

DRUG ABUSE DEATHS AND

DRUG MENTIONS: 1996-1999

his chapter examines trends in the numbers of drug abuse deaths and drug mentions

reported to DAWN from 1996 to 1999. These analyses of trends include data from the

subset of DAWN MEs with consistent reporting histories over the entire period from 1996 to

1999. We refer to this subset as a consistent panel.

This use of a consistent panel of reporting facilities eliminates from the trends those

fluctuations due solely to changes in facilities participating and reporting to DAWN. ME

jurisdictions were included in the consistent panel if they reported for at least 10 months in each of

the 4 years examined in this chapter. Table 4.01 lists the ME jurisdictions included in the

consistent panel for 1996 to 1999. For 1999, the consistent panel included 134 ME jurisdictions

from 39 metropolitan areas.

Findings from this consistent panel must not be compared with findings from earlier

consistent panels. The reader should note also that ME reporting practices vary across

jurisdictions, making comparisons of DAWN drug abuse deaths across metropolitan areas

problematic.

TRENDS FOR THE CONSISTENT PANEL FOR 1996-1999

Within the consistent panel of MEs reporting to DAWN, drug abuse deaths increased 15

percent, from 10,056 in 1998 to 11,570 in 1999 (Table 4.02).

From 1998 to 1999, increases in the number of drug abuse deaths were evident for all

demographic subgroups (Table 4.02). The number of deaths increased 16 percent for females

and 15 percent for males. The number of Hispanic decedents increased 28 percent, white

decedents increased 14 percent, and black decedents increased 12 percent. The largest

increases in the number of deaths occurred among decedents age 55 and older (32%) and

decedents age 45 to 54 (28%). Adolescent deaths also increased in number from 1998 to 1999,

with decedents age 18 to 19 increasing 16 percent and decedents age 12 to 17 increasing 11

percent. Deaths among adults age 26 to 29 increased 12 percent, and deaths among young

adults age 20 to 25 increased 11 percent. The smallest increases in deaths occurred among

adults age 35 to 44 (9%) and 30 to 34 (2%).

Within the consistent panel, some changes in episode characteristics from 1998 to 1999 were

also apparent. Single-drug episodes increased slightly more (19%) than deaths involving multiple

drugs (14%) from 1998 to 1999 (Table 4.03). Reports of "unknown" causes of death increased 58

percent from 1998 to 1999, largely due to a sizable increase (185 cases) from Los Angeles. This

makes any interpretation of particular causes of death problematic. Manner of death reported as

"other" or "unknown" rose 27 percent from 1998 to 1999. Although the source of these

other/unknown reports is less localized (22 metropolitan areas contributed to the increase), Los

Angeles had the largest increase (419 cases).

T
16 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

Table 4.04 shows changes in the specific drugs reported by MEs in the consistent panel.

Among the most frequently mentioned drugs, codeine and marijuana/hashish mentions increased

13 percent, heroin/morphine mentions increased 11 percent, cocaine mentions increased 6

percent, and alcohol-in-combination mentions increased 5 percent from 1998 to 1999.

Considering other drugs with more than 100 mentions in 1999, increases from 1998 to 1999

occurred for: meperidine HCl (59%), oxycodone (53%), diphenylhydatoin sodium (51%),

fluoxetine (38%), methamphetamine/speed (38%), phenobarbital (36%), diphenhydramine (28%),

amphetamine (18%), amitriptyline (18%), methadone (15%), meprobamate (13%),

d-Propoxyphene (10%), alprazolam (8%), acetaminophen (8%), and aspirin (6%). Deaths

involving inhalants/solvents/aerosols increased 25 percent. Among drugs with more than 100

mentions, only diazepam and doxepin increased less than 5 percent. There were no notable

decreases in drug mentions from 1998 to 1999 among these drugs.

TRENDS BY METROPOLITAN AREA

Readers should note that percentage changes derived from small numbers of cases can be

volatile and therefore misleading. Among the 39 metropolitan areas included in the consistent

panel of MEs, 28 reported more than 100 total drug abuse deaths to DAWN in 1998 or 1999

(Table 4.05). This section, which discusses changes in drug abuse deaths by metropolitan area,

will focus only on these 28. However, even among these 28 areas, the numbers of mentions for

particular drugs (e.g., cocaine or heroin/morphine) can be quite low and the changes quite

volatile. To protect the confidentiality of individuals, patient characteristics and drug mentions are

suppressed in Table 4.07 for any metropolitan area for which fewer than 4 total drug-related

deaths were reported.

Among these 28 metropolitan areas, the largest increases in drug abuse deaths from 1998 to

1999 were reported for San Antonio (149%), Los Angeles (67%), Phoenix (44%), Denver (38%),

Salt Lake City (25%), Newark (22%), St. Louis (18%), Buffalo (17%), New Orleans (16%), San

Francisco (12%), and Chicago (10%) (Table 4.05). The largest decreases in drug abuse deaths

from 1998 to 1999 were reported in Minneapolis (17%), Washington, DC (15%), Miami (10%), and

Dallas (10%).

Among the same 28 metropolitan areas, the largest increases in cocaine mentions from 1998

to 1999 were reported for San Antonio (150%), Minneapolis (83%), Phoenix (36%), Los Angeles

(28%), Buffalo (27%), Denver (25%), Cleveland (15%), Kansas City (15%), Seattle (13%), Newark

(12%), and Dallas (12%) (Table 4.06a). The largest decreases in mentions of cocaine were in

Boston (19%), Las Vegas (15%), Miami (15%), Washington, DC (12%), and San Diego (11%).

The largest increases in heroin/morphine mentions among the 28 metropolitan areas were

reported in San Antonio (157%), Denver (70%), Buffalo (54%), Los Angeles (45%), Newark

(35%), New Orleans (34%), San Francisco (16%), Baltimore (15%), Dallas (14%), Chicago (13%),

Portland (12%), and Salt Lake City (11%) (Table 4.06b). The largest decreases in mentions of

heroin/morphine were reported in Miami (20%), Cleveland (16%), San Diego (13%), Washington,

DC (12%), and Seattle (10%).
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 17

FINDINGS FROM SELECTED CITIES

The remainder of this discussion focuses on findings for the metropolitan areas reporting the

highest numbers of drug-related deaths to DAWN for 1999.

Los Angeles. In the Los Angeles metropolitan area, total drug abuse deaths reported to

DAWN increased 67 percent, from 1,136 in 1998 to 1,896 in 1999 (Table 4.07). Cocaine was

involved in 29 percent of drug-related deaths reported from Los Angeles, heroin in 34 percent,

and methamphetamine/speed in 8 percent. Mentions of all of these illicit drugs were up sharply

(28% to 45%) from 1998 levels, as were mentions of codeine (99%) and alcohol-in-combination

(25%). Marijuana/hashish was reported infrequently (less than 25 mentions) in DAWN cases from

Los Angeles. This may simply suggest differences in reporting behavior by the Los Angeles ME

rather than low marijuana involvement in drug-related deaths in Los Angeles. The majority (70%)

of cases reported from Los Angeles involved multiple drugs, but only 39 percent were classified

as overdoses. (Cause of death was missing or unknown in 10 percent of cases.) The majority

(51%) of cases were classified as drug-related, with the highest numbers attributable to the drug

and a medical disorder. More than three-quarters (79%) of decedents reported from Los Angeles

were age 35 and over; only 7 percent were 25 and younger; about half were white and a quarter

Hispanic; 70 percent were male. Increases were recorded for all demographic categories.

New York. In the New York metropolitan area, drug abuse deaths reported to DAWN were

essentially unchanged from 935 in 1998 to 944 in 1999 (Table 4.07). However, this masks

increases in the numbers of drug-related deaths reported from Nassau and Suffolk Counties and

substantial decreases in the remainder of New York jurisdictions reporting to DAWN. More than

half (52%) of drug-related deaths reported from New York involved cocaine; nearly half (46%)

involved heroin/morphine. Codeine and diphenhydramine, which are highly ranked across the full

consistent panel, were reported infrequently (fewer than 25 mentions) in DAWN cases from New

York, which may reflect ME reporting behavior. Two-thirds of drug abuse deaths reported from

New York involved multiple drugs; three-quarters involved overdoses. Decedents reported from

New York tended to be older (74% age 35 and over) with relatively few decedents (7%) age 25

and under. About half (48%) were white, 29 percent black, and 21 percent Hispanic. More than

three-quarters (77%) were male. Across the demographic subgroups, increases were evident for:

females (5%); white (5%) and black (2%) decedents; and decedents age 35 and older (5%).

Decreases were recorded for: Hispanic decedents (7%); and decedents age 18 to 25 (18%) and

age 26 to 34 (7%).

Chicago. In the Chicago metropolitan area, drug abuse deaths reported to DAWN rose 10

percent from 803 in 1998 to 879 in 1999 (Table 4.07). More than half (58%) of drug-related

deaths reported from Chicago involved cocaine; more than half (52%) involved heroin/morphine;

and 42 percent involved alcohol-in-combination. Two-thirds of cases reported from Chicago

involved multiple drugs, and two-thirds were classified as overdoses. Decedents reported from

Chicago were somewhat younger than those in New York or Los Angeles with 69 percent age 35

and over and 10 percent under age 26. Whites (44%) and blacks (45%) were almost equally

represented. More than three-quarters (77%) were male. Across the demographic subgroups,

the largest increases were evident for: males (10%); blacks (17%); and decedents age 35 and

older (17%).

Philadelphia. In the Philadelphia metropolitan area, total drug abuse deaths reported to

DAWN increased only 6 percent from 766 in 1998 to 810 in 1999 (Table 4.07). Among these,

cocaine was involved in about half the deaths (53%), as was heroin/morphine (52%). From 1998

to 1999, cocaine mentions increased 7 percent, while heroin/morphine mentions were relatively
18 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

stable. Alcohol-in-combination was mentioned in 31 percent of drug abuse deaths. Codeine was

mentioned in 23 percent of deaths, and these rose 29 percent from 1998 to 1999. More than 8

out of 10 (82%) of drug abuse deaths involved multiple drugs, and 7 of 10 (70%) were classified

as overdoses. Decedents reported from Philadephia were somewhat younger than those

reported by either New York or Los Angeles with 67 percent age 35 and over and 12 percent age

25 and under. Nearly 2 out of 3 decedents reported from Philadelphia were white and 3 out of 4

were male. From 1998 to 1999, black decedents increased 22 percent, while whites were

relatively unchanged, and decedents age 18 to 25 decreased 10 percent while those age 35 and

over increased 11 percent.

Detroit. In the Detroit metropolitan area, drug abuse deaths reported to DAWN rose from

635 in 1998 to 695 in 1999 (9%, Table 4.07). Forty percent of deaths reported from Detroit

involved cocaine and 34 percent involved heroin/morphine; both were relatively stable when

compared with 1998. Alcohol-in-combination was mentioned in 31 percent of deaths reported

from Detroit. Three-quarters (76%) of drug abuse deaths involved multiple drugs, and about half

(51%) were classified as overdoses. The majority (58%) of decedents was white, and another 40

percent were black. Nearly 8 in 10 decedents (79%) were age 35 and over, and less than 1 in 10

(8%) were age 25 and under. Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) were male. Across the demographic

subgroups, decedents who were white increased 10 percent from 1998 to 1999, and males

increased 14 percent. Across age groups, decedents age 18 to 25 and those age 35 and over

increased (21% and 14%, respectively), but those age 26 to 34 dropped 15 percent.

Phoenix. In the Phoenix metropolitan area, drug abuse deaths reported to DAWN rose 44

percent, from 390 in 1998 to 561 in 1999 (Table 4.07). Deaths involving cocaine (42% of all drug

abuse deaths) increased 36 percent, and deaths involving methamphetamine/speed (17% of the

total) increased 57 percent, while deaths involving heroin/morphine (33% of the total) were

relatively stable from 1998 to 1999. Substantial increases were also reported from mentions of

alcohol-in-combination (63%), diphenhydramine (28%), and codeine (18%). The vast majority

(94%) of drug abuse deaths reported from Phoenix involved multiple drugs, and 60 percent were

classified as overdoses. About two-thirds of decedents reported from Phoenix were age 35 and

over; another 12 percent were under age 26. White decedents constituted 85 percent of deaths

reported from Phoenix and deaths involving whites increased 46 percent from 1998 to 1999.

Three-quarters of decedents were male, but males and females increased substantially (49% and

34%) from 1998 to 1999. Similarly, large increases were seen across age groups 18 to 25 (61%),

26 to 34 (41%), and 35 and over (42%).

Baltimore. Drug abuse deaths reported to DAWN from the Baltimore metropolitan area

increased 6 percent from 527 in 1998 to 557 in 1999. More than half (54%) of these deaths

involved cocaine, which was relatively stable from 1998 to 1999. However, 81 percent of deaths

involved heroin/morphine and these rose 15 percent from 1998 to 1999. Alcohol-in-combination

was mentioned in 41 percent of drug abuse deaths from Baltimore. In Baltimore, nearly 9 in 10

(89%) drug abuse deaths involved multiple drugs, and 85 percent were reported as overdoses.

Black decedents (53%) outnumbered whites (46%) in Baltimore, but deaths involving whites

increased 13 percent from 1998 to 1999, while deaths involving blacks were unchanged. Males

(79%) outnumbered females, but deaths involving females increased 8 percent, while males

increased only 5 percent. The decedents in Baltimore tended to be older, with 71 percent age 35

and over and another 21 percent age 26 to 34. Deaths among the age 35 and over group rose 10

percent from 1998 to 1999.
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 19

APPENDIX A:

DAWN MEDICAL EXAMINER REPORT FORM
20 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 21

APPENDIX B:

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Coterminous U.S.: The contiguous 48 continental States and Washington, D.C. Excludes

Alaska and Hawaii.

Disposition of ED patient: Suggestions or recommendations made or actions taken by the

hospital as they relate to the patient's presenting problem:

n Treated and released or referred - The patient is given appropriate ED treatment and is

released or, after appropriate ED treatment, the hospital refers the patient to another

agency or to a private physician for additional services.

n Admitted to hospital - The patient is admitted as an inpatient to hospital.

n Left against medical advice - The patient, prior to or after treatment, left without a

physician's approval.

n Died - The patient died while in ED or while an inpatient.

Drug abuse: The nonmedical use of a substance for any of the following reasons: psychic

effect, dependence, or suicide attempt/gesture (see Drug use motive). For the purpose

of this report, nonmedical use means:

n The use of prescription drugs in a manner inconsistent with accepted medical practice;

n The use of over-the-counter drugs contrary to approved labeling; or

n The use of any substance (heroin/morphine, marijuana/hashish, peyote, glue, aerosols,

etc.) for psychic effect, dependence, or suicide.

Drug abuse episode: A reported ED admission that involved drug abuse. Episodes involving

children under 6 years of age are not reported to the DAWN system. The number of ED

patients in DAWN is not synonymous with the number of patients involved. One patient

may make repeated visits to an ED or to several EDs, thus producing a number of

episodes. As no patient identifiers are collected, it is impossible to determine the number

of patients involved in the reported episodes.

Drug abuser: An ED patient who had taken a substance(s) without proper medical supervision

for reason(s) of psychic effect, dependence, or suicide attempt/gesture. See also Drug

abuse.

Drug category: A generic grouping of substances reported to DAWN. The DAWN drug

groupings are periodically reviewed in order to reflect the most recent changes in

pharmaceutical classifications and drug legislation. Occasional changes in drug

classification should be taken into consideration when comparing drug data from this

report with other DAWN reports. These classifications may involve street names and

brand names, which are sometimes used to identify a substance and its generic drug

group. Such names are carried in DAWN due to the inability of some drug users to
22 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

reliably identify a substance other than by its street name. Therefore, references to

substances such as "speed" appear in the tables. Additional clarification is provided for

the following drug categories:

n Alcohol-in-combination - DAWN does not gather data on alcohol used alone, only

alcohol used concomitantly with another abused substance. Therefore, all alcohol

mentions are combination mentions.

n Heroin/morphine - Although heroin may be the ingested drug, it is metabolized to

morphine. Therefore, heroin and morphine are treated as a single drug.

n Marijuana/hashish - As both marijuana and hashish are derived from the cannabis

plant and have tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as their psychoactive ingredient, they are

treated as a single drug in this report.

n Diazepam - Mentions of desmethyldiazepam, a metabolic product of diazepam, are

combined with those of diazepam in this report.

n Methamphetamine/speed - Data for methamphetamine and speed were shown

separately in prior reports. To facilitate analyses, data on these 2 DAWN

methamphetamine categories are now shown together under the aggregate category

of "methamphetamine/speed."

n Fluoxetine and imipramine - In DAWN reports for 1988, mentions of Prozac, an

antidepressant first marketed in December 1987, were misassigned to the imipramine

category. In this report, Prozac has been removed from the imipramine group,

combined with generic fluoxetine, and tabulated under the category of "fluoxetine."

n Drug unknown - "Drug unknown" may be recorded either when the user did not know

what had been taken or perhaps did not wish to reveal the use of an illicit substance, or

when data were not available in the hospital records.

Drug concomitance: This term refers to whether a drug abuse episode involved a single drug

mention or multiple mentions.

Drug mention: This refers to a substance that was mentioned in a drug abuse episode. In

addition to alcohol-in-combination, up to 4 substances can be reported for each drug

abuse episode. Therefore, the total number of mentions exceeds the number of total

episodes.

Drug use motive: DAWN classifies ED drug abuse episodes according to one or more of the

following reasons for taking a substance(s):

n Psychic effects - A conscious action to use drugs to improve or enhance any physical,

emotional, or social situation or condition. Two categories of psychic effect are:

- Use of drugs for experimentation or to enhance a social situation (e.g., curious,

peer pressure, to get high, fun, "for kicks," to party); and
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 23

- Use of drugs to improve or enhance any mental, emotional, or physical state (e.g.,

depression, anxiety, relieve headache, reduce pain, stay awake, relax, help study,

get to sleep).

n Dependence - A psychic and/or physical state characterized by behavior that always

includes a compulsion to take the drug on a continuous or periodic basis in order to

experience its effects or to avoid the discomfort of its absence (e.g., have to take, had

to have, needed a fix).

n Suicide attempt or gesture - Successful or unsuccessful suicide attempt or gesture

verified by a witness, a note left by patient, physician's medical record note, or other

evidence.

n Other reason - Self-medication for physical ailment, to prevent pregnancy or induce

abortion, accident, used unknowingly, etc.

Facility location: Data from the 21 metropolitan areas in the DAWN ED sample are tabulated

separately for central cities and areas outside central cities.

Form in which drug was acquired/found: The form in which the substance was received by

the user/abuser is coded, not the form in which the substance was consumed.

Hospital emergency department (ED): Only hospitals that met eligibility criteria for DAWN

were recruited to participate. To be eligible, hospitals must be non-Federal, short-stay

facilities with EDs that are open 24 hours a day, and located in the coterminous U.S.

Specialty hospitals, hospital units of institutions, long-term care facilities, and pediatric

hospitals are excluded.

Metropolitan area: An area composed of a relatively large core city or cities and the adjacent

geographic areas. Conceptually, these areas are integrated economic and social units

with a large population nucleus. Facilities recruited for the DAWN ED sample were

selected from the Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and Primary Metropolitan

Statistical Areas (PMSAs) as defined in 1983 by the Office of Management and Budget.

National Panel: This term is used to denote 2 concepts: (1) The universe of eligible hospitals

outside the 21 DAWN metropolitan areas but within the coterminous U.S. or (2) The

sample of hospitals in DAWN that were selected from this universe. The National Panel

sample is weighted to produce estimates for the National Panel universe. See also

Metropolitan area.

p-value: The probability value is the actual probability associated with an obtained statistical

result; this is then compared with the significance level to determine whether that value is

statistically significant. For the p-value to be significant, it must be less than or equal to

the significance level. The traditional significance levels are p less than .001, .01, .05, and

.10. The p-value less than .05 is used in DAWN reports.

Population: See Universe.

Precision: The extent to which an estimate agrees with its mean value in repeated sampling.

The precision of an estimate is measured inversely by its standard error (SE) or relative

standard error (RSE). In this report, estimates with an RSE of 50 percent or higher are
24 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

regarded as too imprecise and are not printed. Table cells where such estimates would

have appeared contain the symbol ". . ." (3 dots). See also Relative standard error.

Race/ethnicity: The race/ethnicity categories on the DAWN data collection form are:

n White, not of Hispanic origin - A patient having origins in any of the original peoples of

Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East.

n Black, not of Hispanic origin - A patient having origins in any of the black racial groups

of Africa.

n Hispanic patient of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or Central or South American, or

other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

n American Indian/Alaskan Native - A patient having origins in any of the peoples of

North America and who maintains cultural identification through tribal affiliation or

community recognition.

n Asian/Pacific Islander - A patient having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far

East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands.

n Other - A patient whose race cannot be classified into any of the categories above.

This residual category was reinstated on the DAWN form in July 1991 after having

been removed in an earlier revision.

Random sample: A sample in which each member of the sampling frame has a known,

nonzero probability of selection.

Rank: A rank indicates the relative frequency of mentions for a particular drug category within

the total DAWN system. For example, a drug category ranked second indicates that it

accounted for the second highest number of mentions among all drug categories. When 2

or more drugs received equal numbers of mentions, they are assigned the same rank. It

should be noted that a difference in rank should be considered only as indicative of a

difference in frequency among drugs reported to DAWN, no matter how small, and not as

necessarily denoting a meaningful or significant difference. For example, a difference of

one between ranks of drug categories could mean a difference of one drug mention or a

difference of many.

Reason for ED contact: Drug users reported to an ED and DAWN contact for the following

reasons:

n Unexpected reaction - The drug's effect was different than anticipated, thus, causing

concern (e.g., bad trip, panic, hallucinations, etc.).

n Overdose - Either intentional or accidental (e.g., effects of suicide attempt, coma, etc.).

n Withdrawal - Symptoms that occur when a patient stops taking a substance upon

which she/he is physiologically dependent and suffers physical symptoms, including

abdominal pain, cold sweat, hyperactivity, and tremors that require treatment.
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 25

n Chronic effects - Secondary conditions resulting from habitual usage or dependence,

including malnutrition, tetanus, blood poisoning, etc.

n Seeking detoxification - Patients with identified problems with chronic substance abuse

who seek admission to a detoxification program and receive treatment from emergency

department staff. This category was added to the data collection form in 1987.

n Accident/injury - Injuries resulting from accidents that were caused by or related to drug

abuse. This category was added to the data collection form in 1987.

n Other - Reasons that cannot be classified into one of the aforementioned categories.

Reason for taking substance: See drug use motive.

Relative standard error (RSE): A measure of the sampling variability or precision of an

estimate defined as the estimate's SE expressed as a percentage of the estimate's value.

(See also Precision and Standard error.)

Route of drug administration: The method by which the substance was taken into the

user/abuser's body is coded according to the following categories:

n Oral – Substance is ingested through the mouth.

n Injection – Substance enters the body through a vein (intravenously), into the muscle

(intramuscularly), or under the skin (subcutaneously).

n Inhaled - Gases or fumes of a substance are taken into the body by inhaling through

the nose or mouth into the lungs (e.g., inhaling the fumes of glue, aerosols, paints,

gasoline, etc.).

n Smoked (includes freebase) - Substance (e.g., marijuana/hashish, "crack" cocaine) is

consumed by smoking a cigarette, pipe, or similar device.

n Sniffed/snorted - Substance (e.g., cocaine, heroin/morphine), which is acquired in a

powder or crystalline form, is forcefully inhaled through the nose.

n Other - Used when the route of administration of the substance cannot logically be

included as any of the above.

Sampling frame: A list of units from which a sample is drawn. All members of the sampling

frame have a probability of being selected. A sampling frame is constructed such that

there is no duplication and each unit is identifiable. Ideally, the sampling frame and the

universe are the same. The sampling frame for the DAWN hospital ED sample is the

American Hospital Association (AHA) annual survey.

Sampling unit: A member of a sample selected from a sampling frame. For the DAWN

sample, the units are hospitals, and data are collected for all drug-related ED episodes at

the responding hospitals selected for the sample.

Sampling weights: Numeric coefficients used to derive population estimates from a sample.
26 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999

Single-drug episode: A drug abuse episode that involved only one drug.

Source of substance: The immediate source of the substance that the patient abused is

coded as follows:

n Legal prescription - This is coded only when the abuser was legally prescribed the drug

of abuse. If one patient obtains a drug by legal prescription and sells it to another who

abuses it, the source to the abuser is marked "street buy." If the patient for whom the

prescription was issued gives the drug to another patient who abuses it, the source to

the abuse is "other unauthorized procurement."

n Street buy - The drug abuser purchased a drug and/or prescription from a source other

than legitimate channels.

n Other unauthorized procurement - The drug was acquired in a manner not consistent

with accepted medical care but was not bought on the street. This category includes

drugs purchased using forged prescriptions, stolen, or received as a gift.

n Other - Used when the source of the substance cannot logically be included as any of

the above. This category includes all over-the-counter medications.

n Unknown - Reported when information on source was unavailable.

Standard error (SE): A measure of the sampling variability or precision of an estimate. The

SE of an estimate is expressed in the same units as the estimate itself. For example, an

estimate of 10,000 cocaine mentions with an SE of 500 indicates that the SE is 500

mentions.

Strata (plural), stratum (singular): Subgroups of a population within which separate samples

are drawn. Stratification is used to increase the precision of estimates for a given sample

size, or, conversely, to reduce the sample size required to achieve the desired level of

precision. In the DAWN ED sample, the sample is stratified into 21 metropolitan area cells

plus an additional cell for the National Panel. Then, within these cells strata are defined

according to the annual number of ED visits, whether the hospital is located inside or

outside the central city of the metropolitan area, and by the presence or absence of an

organized outpatient department, alcohol/chemical dependence inpatient unit, or both.

The strata are as follows:

Stratum

Annual ED

visits

Location within

metropolitan area

Outpatient department or

alcohol/chemical dependence

inpatient unit

In the 21 DAWN metropolitan areas

0 >80,000 Not applicable Not applicable

1 <80,000 Central city Both

2 <80,000 Central city One only

3 <80,000 Central city Neither

4 <80,000 Outside Central city Both

5 <80,000 Outside Central city One only

6 <80,000 Outside Central city Neither
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 27

Stratum

Annual ED

visits

Location within

metropolitan area

Outpatient department or

alcohol/chemical dependence

inpatient unit

In the National Panel

0 >80,000 Not applicable Not applicable

7 <80,000 Not applicable Both

8 <80,000 Not applicable One only

9 <80,000 Not applicable Neither

Note: Stratum "0" is defined for each of the 21 metropolitan area and the National Panel cells.

See Drug Abuse Warning Network Sample Design and Estimation Procedures: Technical

Report, November 1997.

Statistically significant: A difference between 2 estimates is said to be statistically significant

if the value of the statistic used to test the difference is larger or smaller than would be

expected by chance alone. For DAWN estimates, the difference is statistically significant if

the p-value is less than 0.05 (see also p-value).

Therapeutic class: A general grouping of generic drugs such as tranquilizers, narcotic

analgesics, barbiturate sedatives, etc. These groupings are based primarily on a preexisting classification used in the National Drug and Therapeutic Index (IMS America, Ltd.).

The DAWN system has accumulated a vocabulary of more than 7,300 substance names

that have been mentioned in incidents of abuse. This vocabulary is updated monthly by the

inclusion of new abuse substances and, through receipt of identifying information, the

reclassification of drugs. Occasionally, this reclassification may shift a drug to a different

therapeutic class and/or drug grouping.

Universe: The entire set of units for which generalizations are drawn. The universe for the

DAWN hospital ED sample is all short-stay, non-Federal hospitals in the coterminous U.S.

with EDs open 24 hours a day. (See also Coterminous U.S.).
28 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 29

Detailed Tables
30 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
Atlanta, GA (MSA) 20 6 4,378 259 59.2 466 1.80

Baltimore, MD (PMSA) 7 7 4,953 557 112.5 1,746 3.13

Birmingham, AL (MSA) 4 1 654 79 120.8 228 2.89

Boston, MA/NH (NECMA) 10 5 2,224 345 155.1 615 1.78

Buffalo - Niagara Falls, NY (MSA) 5 5 1,900 106 55.8 267 2.52

Casper, WY (MSA) 1 1 114 13 114.0 25 1.92

Chicago, IL (PMSA) 9 5 12,731 879 69.0 1,747 1.99

Cleveland - Lorain - Elyria, OH (PMSA) 6 1 3,426 117 34.2 218 1.86

Dallas, TX (PMSA) 8 6 4,168 325 78.0 854 2.63

Denver, CO (PMSA) 6 6 10,201 256 25.1 481 1.88

Detroit, MI (PMSA) 6 4 10,033 695 69.3 1,865 2.68

Fargo - Moorhead, ND/MN (MSA) 2 2 394 2 5.1 5 2.50

Indianapolis, IN (MSA) 9 2 1,300 3 2.3 6 2.00

Jackson, MS (MSA) 1 1 431 4 9.3 9 2.25

Kansas City, MO/KS (MSA) 11 2 2,246 244 108.6 569 2.33

Las Vegas, NV/AZ (MSA) 3 1 7,165 252 35.2 683 2.71

Los Angeles - Long Beach, CA (PMSA) 1 1 9,133 1,896 207.6 4,637 2.45

Louisville, KY/IN (MSA) 7 1 3,822 62 16.2 241 3.89

Miami, FL (PMSA) 1 1 3,081 167 54.2 482 2.89

Milwaukee - Waukesha, WI (PMSA) 4 1 231 9 39.0 21 2.33

Minneapolis - St. Paul, MN/WI (MSA) 13 9 3,452 97 28.1 232 2.39

Nashua, NH (PMSA) 1 1 368 31 84.2 73 2.35

New Orleans, LA (MSA) 8 5 5,161 222 43.0 613 2.76

New York, NY (PMSA) 8 8 18,354 944 51.4 1,972 2.09

Newark, NJ (PMSA) 5 4 5,560 251 45.1 583 2.32

15 3 607 46 75.8 95 2.07

Oklahoma City, OK (MSA) 6 1 3,420 226 66.1 530 2.35

Omaha, NE/IA (MSA) 5 3 3,078 42 13.6 111 2.64

Philadelphia, PA/NJ (PMSA) 9 8 11,407 860 75.4 2,504 2.91

Phoenix - Mesa, AZ (MSA) 2 1 3,838 561 146.2 2,005 3.57

Portland - Vancouver, OR/WA (MSA) 6 3 1,187 191 160.9 392 2.05

St. Louis, MO/IL (MSA) 12 9 10,380 278 26.8 617 2.22

Salt Lake City - Ogden, UT (MSA) 3 2 820 148 180.5 303 2.05

San Antonio, TX (MSA) 4 1 2,032 241 118.6 680 2.82

San Diego, CA (MSA) 1 1 2,271 356 156.8 954 2.68

San Francisco, CA (PMSA) 3 3 3,964 362 91.3 1,091 3.01

Seattle - Bellevue - Everett, WA (PMSA) 3 2 1,785 251 140.6 563 2.24

Sioux Falls, SD (MSA) 2 1 406 4 9.9 11 2.75

Washington, DC/MD/VA/WV (PMSA) 25 14 4,713 239 50.7 561 2.35

Wilmington - Newark, DE/MD (PMSA) 2 1 716 31 43.3 51 1.65

TOTAL DAWN SYSTEM 254 139 166,104 11,651 70.1 29,106 2.50

Norfolk - Virginia Beach - Newport News,

 VA/NC (PMSA) 

Table 1.01 - Medical examiners reporting information by metropolitan area: 1999

Metropolitan area 1

Total ME 

jurisdictions 2

MEs 

participating in

DAWN 3

Total cases

reported by

DAWN MEs

Number of

drug abuse

episodes4

Number of 

drug

cases per

1,000 total

episodes4

Number of

drug

mentions4

Average drug

mention per

case4

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Source: Combs, D.L., Parrish, R.G., and Ing, R. Death Investigation in the United States and Canada, 1995, August 1995, Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention, DHHS. 

1

 MSA = Metropolitan Statistical Area, PMSA = Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area, NECMA = New England County Metropolitan Area. Metropolitan 

areas defined by Office of Management and Budget, June 30, 1996.

The number of MEs generally reflects the number of counties within the metropolitan areas that report drug abuse death data to DAWN. This is not a 

count of individual MEs/coroners since the same individual is sometimes responsible for multiple counties. Conversely, Niagara County, in the Buffalo 

area, has 4 MEs that report to DAWN. Table 1.02 provides a list of ME jurisdictions covered in chapters 1, 2 and 3 of this report.

4 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned.

3 Number reporting for at least 10 months in 1999.

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 31 
Atlanta, GA Indianapolis, IN Philadelphia, PA/NJ

 Cobb County, GA (13-067) Johnson County, IN (18-081) Bucks County, PA (42-017)

 Dekalb County, GA (13-089) Marion County, IN (18-097) Burlington County, NJ (34-005)

 Fulton County, GA (13-121) Jackson, MS Camden County, NJ (34-007)

 Gwinnett County, GA (13-135) Rankin County, MS (28-121) Chester County, PA (42-029)

 Henry County, GA (13-151) Kansas City, MO/KS Delaware County, PA (42-045)

 Paulding County, GA (13-223) Jackson County, MO (29-095) Gloucester County, NJ (34-015)

Baltimore, MD Wyandotte County, KS (20-209) Montgomery County, PA (42-091)

 Anne Arundel County, MD (24-003) Las Vegas, NV Philadelphia County, PA (42-101)

 Baltimore City, MD (24-510) Clark County, NV (32-003) Phoenix, AZ

 Baltimore County, MD (24-005) Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA Maricopa County, AZ (04-013)

 Carroll County, MD (24-013) Los Angeles County, CA (06-037) Portland, OR

 Harford County, MD (24-025) Louisville, KY Clackamas County, OR (41-005)

 Howard County, MD (24-027) Jefferson County, KY (21-111) Multnomah County, OR (41-051)

 Queen Anne's County, MD (24-035) Miami-Hialeah, FL Washington County, OR (41-067)

Birmingham, AL Dade County, FL (12-025) St. Louis, MO/IL

 Jefferson County, AL (01-073) Milwaukee, WI Clinton County, IL (17-027)

Boston, MA Waukesha County, WI (55-133) Franklin County, MO (29-071)

 Essex County, MA (25-009) Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN/WI Jefferson County, MO (29-099)

 Middlesex County, MA (25-017) Carver County, MN (27-019) Madison County, IL (17-119)

 Norfolk County, MA (25-021) Chisago County, MN (27-025) Monroe County, IL (17-133)

 Plymouth County, MA (25-023) Dakota County, MN (27-037) St. Charles County, MO (29-183)

 Suffolk County, MA (25-025) Hennepin County, MN (27-053) St. Clair County, IL (17-163)

Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY Isanti County, MN (27-059) St. Louis City, MO (29-510)

 Erie County, NY (36-029) Ramsey County, MN (27-123) St. Louis County, MO (29-189)

 Niagara County, NY (36-063)1

 Scott County, MN (27-139) Salt Lake City-Ogden, UT

Casper, WY St. Croix County, WI (55-109) Davis County, UT (49-011)

 Natrona County, WY (56-025) Washington County, MN (27-163) Salt Lake City, UT (49-035)

Chicago, IL Nashua, NH San Antonio, TX

 Cook County, IL (17-031) Hillsborough County, NH (33-011) Bexar County, TX (48-029)

 Dupage County, IL (17-043) New Orleans, LA San Diego, CA

 Kane County, IL (17-089) Jefferson Parish, LA (22-051) San Diego County, CA (06-073)

 Lake County, IL (17-097) Orleans Parish, LA (22-071) San Francisco, CA

 McHenry County, IL (17-111) St. Bernard Parish, LA (22-087) Marin County, CA (06-041)

Cleveland, OH St. John Parish, LA (22-095) San Francisco County, CA (06-075)

 Cuyahoga County, OH (39-035) St. Tammany Parish, LA (22-103) San Mateo County, CA (06-081)

Dallas, TX New York and Nassau-Suffolk, NY Seattle, WA

 Collin County, TX (48-085) Bronx County, NY (36-005) King County, WA (53-033)

 Dallas County, TX (48-113) Kings County, NY (36-047) Snohomish County, WA (53-061)

 Denton County, TX (48-121) New York County, NY (36-061) Sioux Falls, SD

 Ellis County, TX (48-139) Nassau County, NY (36-059) Minnehaha County, SD (46-099)

 Kaufman County, TX (48-257) Putnam County, NY (36-079) Washington, DC/MD/VA

 Rockwall County, TX (48-397) Queens County, NY (36-081) Alexandria City, VA (51-510)

Denver-Boulder, CO Richmond County, NY (36-085) Arlington County, VA (51-013)

 Adams County, CO (08-001) Suffolk County, NY (36-103) Calvert County, MD (24-009)

 Arapahoe County, CO (08-005) Newark and Middlesex, NJ Charles County, MD (24-017)

 Boulder County, CO (08-013) Essex County, NJ (34-013) Fairfax County, VA (51-059)

 Denver County, CO (08-031) Morris County, NJ (34-027) Falls Church City, VA (51-610)

 Douglas County, CO (08-035) Somerset County, NJ (34-035) Frederick County, MD (24-021)

 Jefferson County, CO (08-059) Union County, NJ (34-039) Loudoun County, VA (51-107)

Detroit, MI Norfolk, VA Manassas County, VA (51-683)

 Macomb County, MI (26-099) Norfolk City, VA (51-710) Montgomery County, MD (24-031)

 Oakland County, MI (26-125) Portsmouth City, VA (51-740) Prince George's County, MD (24-033)

 St. Clair County, MI (26-147) Virginia Beach City, VA (51-810) Prince William County, VA (51-153)

 Wayne County, MI (26-163) Oklahoma City, OK Stafford County, VA (51-179)

Fargo-Moorhead, ND/MN Oklahoma County, OK (40-109) Washington, DC (11-001)

 Cass County, ND (38-017) Omaha, NE Wilmington, DE

 Clay County, MN (27-027) Douglas County, NE (31-055) New Castle County, DE (10-003)

 Sarpy County, NE (31-153)

 Washington County, NE (31-177)

Table 1.02 Medical examiner jurisdictions reporting information to DAWN (along with 

state-county Federal Information Processing Standard [FIPS] codes), according to 

metropolitan area: 1999

NOTE: Counties are listed by metropolitan area as a means of reference. However, the counties listed here often do not coincide 

exactly with the counties included in the official definitions of primary metropolitan statistical areas (PMSAs) or metropolitan statistical 

areas (MSAs). For example, Jefferson County, AL is only one of several counties in the Birmingham MSA. For detailed information on 

metropolitan area definitions, go to http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metrodef.html. Jurisdictions appearing in this 

report are those reporting for at least 10 months in 1999.

1

 Niagara County, in the Buffalo area, has 4 MEs that report to DAWN.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

 32 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
Atlanta, GA 6 6 - -

Baltimore, MD 7 7 - -

Birmingham, AL 1 1 - -

Boston, MA 5 5 - -

Buffalo, NY 5 5 - -

Casper, WY 1 1 - -

Chicago, IL 5 5 - -

Cleveland, OH 1 1 - -

Dallas, TX 6 6 - -

Denver, CO 6 6 - -

Detroit, MI 4 4 - -

Fargo, ND/MN 2 2 - -

Indianapolis, IN 2 2 - -

Jackson, MS 1 1 - -

Kansas City, MO/KS 2 2 - -

Las Vegas, NV 1 1 - -

Los Angeles, CA 1 1 - -

Louisville, KY 1 1 - -

Miami, FL 1 1 - -

Milwaukee, WI 1 1 - -

Minneapolis, MN/WI 9 9 - -

Nashua, NH 1 1 - -

New Orleans, LA 5 5 - -

New York, NY 8 8 - -

Newark, NJ 4 4 - -

Norfolk, VA 3 3 - -

Oklahoma City, OK 1 1 - -

Omaha, NE 3 3 - -

Philadelphia, PA/NJ 8 7 1 -

Phoenix, AZ 1 1 - -

Portland, OR 3 3 - -

Providence, RI 2 - - 2

St. Louis, MO/IL 9 9 - -

Salt Lake City, UT 2 2 - -

San Antonio, TX 1 1 - -

San Diego, CA 1 1 - -

San Francisco, CA 3 3 - -

Seattle, WA 2 2 - -

Sioux Falls, SD 1 1 - -

Washington, DC/MD/VA 14 14 - -

Wilmington, DE 1 1 - -

TOTAL DAWN SYSTEM 141 138 1 2

1

 Months are not counted if drug-related cases were expected but were not reported in time to be included in this report.

2

 These jurisdictions are not included in the 1999 data.

NOTE: The dash (-) represents a quantity of zero.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 1.03 - Number of medical examiner facilities and number of months reported, 

according to metropolitan area: 1999

Metropolitan area Number of 

facilities

Number of months reported 1

12 months 10 or 11 months 9 months or less 2

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 33 
GENDER 

 

Male ........................................................................................ 8,516 73.1 

Female ................................................................................ 3,083 26.5 

Unknown/no response ........................................................................................ 52 0.4 

 

 TOTAL ............................................................................. 11,651 100.0 

 

 

RACE/ETHNICITY 

 

White ........................................................................................ 7,042 60.4 5,036 59.1 1,975 64.1

Black ........................................................................................ 3,023 25.9 2,212 26.0 807 26.2

Hispanic ........................................................................................ 1,286 11.0 1,060 12.4 221 7.2

Other ........................................................................................ 167 1.4 113 1.3 54 1.8

 

 American Indian/Alaskan Native ........................................................................................ 52 0.4 33 0.4 19 0.6

 Asian/Pacific Islander ........................................................................................ 115 1.0 80 0.9 35 1.1

 

Unknown/no response ........................................................................................ 133 1.1 95 1.1 26 0.8

 

 TOTAL ....................................................................... 11,651 100.0 8,516 100.0 3,083 100.0

 

AGE 

 

6-17 years ........................................................................................ 128 1.1 84 1.0 44 1.4

 

6-11 years ........................................................................................ 14 0.1 9 0.1 5 0.2

12-17 years ........................................................................................ 114 1.0 75 0.9 39 1.3

 

18-25 years ........................................................................................ 1,008 8.7 771 9.1 232 7.5

 

18-19 years ........................................................................................ 198 1.7 145 1.7 52 1.7

20-25 years ........................................................................................ 810 7.0 626 7.4 180 5.8

 

26-34 years ........................................................................................ 2,122 18.2 1,568 18.4 538 17.5

 

26-29 years ........................................................................................ 792 6.8 607 7.1 178 5.8

30-34 years ........................................................................................ 1,330 11.4 961 11.3 360 11.7

 

35 years and older ........................................................................................ 8,355 71.7 6,069 71.3 2,263 73.4

 

35-44 years ........................................................................................ 4,163 35.7 3,075 36.1 1,076 34.9

45-54 years ............................................................. 2,951 25.3 2,176 25.6 766 24.8

55 years and older ........................................................................................ 1,241 10.7 818 9.6 421 13.7

 

Unknown/no response ........................................................................................ 38 0.3 24 0.3 6 0.2

 

TOTAL ...................................................................... 11,651 100.0 8,516 100.0 3,083 100.0

2 Includes episodes for which age was unknown or not reported.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

TOTAL 2

Number Percent

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

Table 2.01 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by selected demographic 

characteristics according to gender: 19991

Percent Number Percent Number

Race/ethnicity and age

Male Female

 34 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
ALL RACES/ETHNICITIES 3

 

6-11 years .......................................................................................... 14 0.1 9 0.1 5 0.2

12-17 years ......................................................................................... 114 1.0 75 0.9 39 1.3

18-25 years ......................................................................................... 1,008 8.7 771 9.1 232 7.5

26-34 years ......................................................................................... 2,122 18.2 1,568 18.4 538 17.5

35-44 years ......................................................................................... 4,163 35.7 3,075 36.1 1,076 34.9

45-54 years ......................................................................................... 2,951 25.3 2,176 25.6 766 24.8

55 years and older ................................ 1,241 10.7 818 9.6 421 13.7

Unknown/no response ............................... 38 0.3 24 0.3 6 0.2

TOTAL .................................................................................................................... 11,651 100.0 8,516 100.0 3,083 100.0

 

WHITE 

6-11 years .......................................................................................... 5 0.1 3 0.1 2 0.1

12-17 years ......................................................................................... 78 1.1 46 0.9 32 1.6

18-25 years ......................................................................................... 664 9.4 505 10.0 156 7.9

26-34 years ......................................................................................... 1,293 18.4 954 18.9 331 16.8

35-44 years ......................................................................................... 2,518 35.8 1,848 36.7 660 33.4

45-54 years ......................................................................................... 1,658 23.5 1,185 23.5 466 23.6

55 years and older ................................ 810 11.5 484 9.6 325 16.5

Unknown/no response ............................... 16 0.2 11 0.2 3 0.2

TOTAL .................................................................................................................... 7,042 100.0 5,036 100.0 1,975 100.0

 

BLACK 

6-11 years .......................................................................................... 6 0.2 4 0.2 2 0.2

12-17 years ......................................................................................... 10 0.3 9 0.4 1 0.1

18-25 years ......................................................................................... 153 5.1 112 5.1 41 5.1

26-34 years ......................................................................................... 447 14.8 309 14.0 135 16.7

35-44 years ......................................................................................... 1,097 36.3 776 35.1 321 39.8

45-54 years ......................................................................................... 979 32.4 744 33.6 235 29.1

55 years and older ................................ 318 10.5 249 11.3 69 8.6

Unknown/no response ............................... 13 0.4 9 0.4 3 0.4

TOTAL .................................................................................................................... 3,023 100.0 2,212 100.0 807 100.0

 

HISPANIC 

6-11 years .......................................................................................... 3 0.2 2 0.2 1 0.5

12-17 years ......................................................................................... 19 1.5 14 1.3 5 2.3

18-25 years ......................................................................................... 147 11.4 121 11.4 25 11.3

26-34 years ......................................................................................... 301 23.4 252 23.8 46 20.8

35-44 years ......................................................................................... 463 36.0 390 36.8 72 32.6

45-54 years ......................................................................................... 259 20.1 208 19.6 51 23.1

55 years and older ................................90 7.0 69 6.5 21 9.5

Unknown/no response ............................... 4 0.3 4 0.4 - -

TOTAL .................................................................................................................... 1,286 100.0 1,060 100.0 221 100.0

 

OTHER RACE/ETHNICITY 

6-11 years .......................................................................................... - - - - - -

12-17 years ......................................................................................... 6 3.6 5 4.4 1 1.9

18-25 years ......................................................................................... 23 13.8 15 13.3 8 14.8

26-34 years ......................................................................................... 46 27.5 29 25.7 17 31.5

35-44 years ......................................................................................... 42 25.1 31 27.4 11 20.4

45-54 years ......................................................................................... 33 19.8 22 19.5 11 20.4

55 years and older ................................17 10.2 11 9.7 6 11.1

Unknown/no response ............................... - - - - - -

TOTAL .................................................................................................................... 167 100.0 113 100.0 54 100.0

2 Includes episodes for which gender was unknown or not reported.

3 Includes episodes for which race/ethnicity was unknown or not reported.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update). 

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

TOTAL Male 2

Table 2.02 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by race/ethnicity and age according to 

gender: 19991

Female

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Race/ethnicity and age

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 35 
DRUG CONCOMITANCE 

 

Single-drug episode ..................................... 26.2 25.9 27.0 22.1 34.7 27.1 28.7

Multi-drug episode ........................................ 73.8 74.1 73.0 77.9 65.3 72.9 71.3

 

TOTAL ................................................................................................................................................ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

CAUSE OF DEATH 

 

Drug induced (overdose) ...................................................... 61.6 61.2 62.5 65.1 55.4 57.9 47.9

Direct - single-drug cause ................................................. 9.3 8.7 11.1 9.6 9.3 8.3 7.2

Direct - multiple-drug cause ............................................... 52.2 52.5 51.4 55.6 46.1 49.6 40.7

Drug related (contributory factor) ......................... 34.5 35.3 32.7 31.8 38.7 38.2 47.9

Drug and physiological condition ........................ 11.6 11.4 12.6 9.3 17.1 11.3 16.2

Drug and external physical event .........................17.1 18.2 13.8 17.7 14.3 19.6 22.2

Drug and medical disorder ........................................................................................................................................................................................................5.8 5.7 6.3 4.9 7.2 7.3 9.6

Unknown .................................................................................................................................................. 3.9 3.5 4.9 3.0 5.9 3.9 4.2

 

TOTAL ................................................................................................................................................ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

MANNER OF DEATH 

 

Accidental/unexpected .............................................................................................. 54.8 57.7 46.6 50.9 59.0 68.3 43.1

Suicide .................................................................................................................................................. 16.0 14.2 20.9 21.0 6.1 11.4 22.8

Other/unknown ...................................................................................................... 29.2 28.1 32.5 28.1 34.9 20.4 34.1

 

TOTAL ................................................................................................................................................ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS ...................................................... 11,651 8,516 3,083 7,042 3,023 1,286 167

2 Includes episodes for which age was unknown or not reported.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

Male Female White

Episode characteristics

Black

Table 2.03 - Percentage distribution of drug abuse deaths by episode characteristics 

according to gender and race/ethnicity: 19991

Hispanic Other

TOTAL 2 Gender Race/ethnicity

 36 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
DRUG CONCOMITANCE 

 

Single-drug episode ..................................... 26.2 42.9 43.9 30.5 23.7 23.6 25.6 35.2

Multi-drug episode ........................................ 73.8 57.1 56.1 69.5 76.3 76.4 74.4 64.8

 

TOTAL ................................................................................................................................................ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

CAUSE OF DEATH 

 

Drug induced (overdose) ...................................................... 61.6 28.6 43.0 58.2 65.9 66.8 60.3 44.3

Direct - single-drug cause ................................................. 9.3 14.3 7.0 10.6 9.9 9.3 8.6 9.4

Direct - multiple-drug cause ............................................... 52.2 14.3 36.0 47.6 55.9 57.5 51.7 34.9

Drug related (contributory factor) ......................... 34.5 50.0 55.3 39.5 31.1 30.1 34.5 49.6

Drug and physiological condition ........................ 11.6 42.9 6.1 4.9 6.9 11.5 15.5 17.0

Drug and external physical event ......................... 17.1 7.1 45.6 33.1 21.2 13.6 11.1 19.9

Drug and medical disorder ..............................................................................................................................................................................................5.8 - 3.5 1.5 3.0 4.9 7.9 12.7

Unknown .................................................................................................................................................. 3.9 21.4 1.8 2.3 3.0 3.1 5.2 6.0

 

TOTAL ................................................................................................................................................ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

MANNER OF DEATH 

 

Accidental/unexpected .............................................................................................. 54.8 21.4 62.3 63.2 58.8 56.7 52.9 38.8

Suicide .................................................................................................................................................. 16.0 - 26.3 19.0 17.1 13.1 13.6 26.7

Other/unknown ...................................................................................................... 29.2 78.6 11.4 17.8 24.1 30.1 33.5 34.6

 

TOTAL ................................................................................................................................................ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS ...................................................... 11,651 14 114 1,008 2,122 4,163 2,951 1,241

2 Includes episodes for which age was unknown or not reported.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 2.04 - Percentage distribution of drug abuse deaths by episode characteristics 

according to age: 19991

6-11 TOTAL 2

Age (in years)

18-25 26-34 35-44 45-54 55 and older

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

12-17

Episode characteristics

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 37 
GENDER 

Male .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 73.1 77.0 64.9 70.2

Female ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26.5 22.5 34.5 29.4

Unknown/no response ......................................................................................................................... 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.3

TOTAL ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 60.4 56.1 79.2 58.2

Black ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 25.9 27.9 9.9 31.0

Hispanic ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 11.0 13.8 7.8 7.7

Other ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1.4 1.1 2.0 1.7

Unknown/no response ......................................................................................................................... 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.4

TOTAL ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

AGE 

6-11 years ........................................................................................................................................................... 0.1 * - 0.3

12-17 years .......................................................................................................................................................... 1.0 1.1 1.6 0.4

18-25 years .......................................................................................................................................................... 8.7 10.0 10.3 5.3

26-34 years .......................................................................................................................................................... 18.2 19.6 19.4 15.1

35-44 years .......................................................................................................................................................... 35.7 37.0 29.3 36.9

45-54 years .......................................................................................................................................................... 25.3 24.5 21.5 29.1

55 years and older ........................................................................................................................................ 10.7 7.5 17.7 12.6

Unknown/no response ......................................................................................................................... 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.4

TOTAL ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

DRUG CONCOMITANCE 

Single-drug episode ......................................................................................................................... 26.2 24.5 24.2 30.3

Multi-drug episode ........................................................................................................................................ 73.8 75.5 75.8 69.7

TOTAL ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

CAUSE OF DEATH 

Drug induced (overdose) ....................................................................................................... 61.6 73.6 49.7 45.5

Direct - single-drug cause ...................................................................... 9.3 10.9 8.6 6.8

Direct - multiple-drug cause .................................................................... 52.2 62.7 41.1 38.7

Drug related (contributory factor) .................................... 34.5 24.3 48.4 46.1

Drug and physiological condition .................................... 11.6 6.3 2.3 26.9

Drug and external physical event .................................... 17.1 15.1 45.5 5.2

Drug and medical disorder ..................................................................................... 5.8 3.0 0.6 14.1

Unknown ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3.9 2.1 1.9 8.4

TOTAL ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

NUMBER OF DECEDENTS ....................................................................................................... 11,651 6,383 1,867 3,401

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the 

only substance mentioned.

Table 2.05 - Percentage distribution of drug abuse deaths by demographic and 

episode characteristics according to manner of death: 19991

Race/ethnicity and age

Manner of Death

TOTAL Accidental/

unexpected Suicide Other/unknown

 38 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
Drug name

Number of 

mentions

Percent 

of total 

episodes Drug name

Number 

of 

mentions

1 Cocaine 4,864 41.75 44 Valproic Acid 61 0.52

2 Heroin/morphine 24,820 41.37 45 Ephedrine 59 0.51

3 Alcohol-in-combination 3,916 33.61 46 Imipramine (Tofranil) 56 0.48

4 Codeine 1,395 11.97 47 Desipramine (Norpramin) 55 0.47

5 Diazepam (Valium) 811 6.96 48 Oxazepam 54 0.46

6 Methamphetamine/speed 690 5.92 49 Fentanyl 53 0.45

7 Marijuana/hashish 670 5.75 50 Benztropine 51 0.44

8 Methadone 643 5.52 51 Lorazepam (Ativan) 50 0.43

9 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 641 5.50 52 Thioridazine (Mellaril) 48 0.41

10 Amitriptyline (Elavil) 477 4.09 53 Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) 46 0.39

11 d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) 466 4.00 54 MDM 42 0.36

12 Amphetamine 3452 3.88 55 Metoprolol 41 0.35

13 Hydrocodone 447 3.84 56 Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) 39 0.33

14 Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 427 3.66 57 Pentobarbital 37 0.32

15 Nortriptyline 424 3.64 58 Ibuprofen 35 0.30

16 Unspec. benzodiazepine 409 3.51 59 Secobarbital 32 0.27

17 Lidocaine 384 3.30 60 Mesoridazine 32 0.27

18 Fluoxetine (Prozac) 305 2.62 61 Phenylpropanolamine 29 0.25

19 Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) 262 2.25 62 Butabarbital 28 0.24

20 Alprazolam (Xanax) 252 2.16 63 Brompheniramine maleate 26 0.22

21 Quinine 250 2.15 64 Trimethoprim/sulfamethox 26 0.22

22 Phenobarbital 232 1.99 65 Propanolol HCl 24 0.21

23 Doxepin (Sinequan) 212 1.82 66 Dihydrocodeine 24 0.21

24 Trazodone (Desyrel) 172 1.48 67 Phentermine 22 0.19

25 Meprobamate 170 1.46 68 Haloperidol 22 0.19

26 Hydantoin (Dilantin) 166 1.42 69 Metoclopramide 22 0.19

27 Carisoprodol 165 1.42 70 Procaine HCl 21 0.18

28 Dextromethorphan 132 1.13 71 Ketamine HCl 21 0.18

29 Chlorpheniramine 117 1.00 72 Flurazepam (Dalmane) 20 0.17

30 Doxylamine succinate 107 0.92 73 Clomipramine 18 0.15

31 Aspirin 104 0.89 74 Naproxen (Naprocyn) 18 0.15

32 Meperidine HCl (Demerol) 103 0.88 75 Oxymorphones 15 0.13

33 Promethazine 100 0.86 76 Theophylline 14 0.12

34 PCP/PCP combinations 98 0.84 77 Hydrocarbon 13 0.11

35 Carbamazepine 98 0.84 78 Hyoscyamine 12 0.10

36 Clonazepam (Klonopin) 96 0.82 79 Methylphenidate 12 0.10

37 Temazepam 92 0.79 80 Insulin 12 0.10

38 Phenaglycodol 88 0.76 81 Amantadine HCl 11 0.09

39 Cyclobenzaprine 84 0.72 82 Quinidine Sulfate 11 0.09

40 Butalbital 78 0.67 83 Levorphanol 11 0.09

41 Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) 75 0.64 84 Papaverine 10 0.09

42 Pseudoephedrine 67 0.58 85 Prochlorperazine 10 0.09

43 Hydroxyzine 63 0.54

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3 Does not include methamphetamine or other unspecified amphetamines.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

NOTE: Percentages are based on a total raw medical examiner drug abuse case count of 11,651. See "NOTES" at end of table.

(Drugs with fewer than 10 mentions are excluded.)1

Table 2.06a - Drugs mentioned most frequently by medical examiners: 1999

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

Rank Rank

Percent of 

total 

episodes

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 39 
Drug name Drug name

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 427 3.66 Insulin 12 0.10

Alcohol-in-combination 3,916 33.61 Ketamine HCl 21 0.18

Alprazolam (Xanax) 252 2.16 Levorphanol 11 0.09

Amantadine HCl 11 0.09 Lidocaine 384 3.30

Amitriptyline (Elavil) 477 4.09 Lorazepam (Ativan) 50 0.43

Amphetamine 3

452 3.88 Marijuana/hashish 670 5.75

Aspirin 104 0.89 MDM 42 0.36

Benztropine 51 0.44 Meperidine HCl (Demerol) 103 0.88

Brompheniramine maleate 26 0.22 Meprobamate 170 1.46

Butabarbital 28 0.24 Mesoridazine 32 0.27

Butalbital 78 0.67 Methadone 643 5.52

Carbamazepine 98 0.84 Methamphetamine/speed 690 5.92

Carisoprodol 165 1.42 Methylphenidate 12 0.10

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) 75 0.64 Metoclopramide 22 0.19

Chlorpheniramine 117 1.00 Metoprolol 41 0.35

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) 39 0.33 Naproxen (Naprocyn) 18 0.15

Clomipramine 18 0.15 Nortriptyline 424 3.64

Clonazepam (Klonopin) 96 0.82 Oxazepam 54 0.46

Cocaine 4,864 41.75 Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) 262 2.25

Codeine 1,395 11.97 Oxymorphones 15 0.13

Cyclobenzaprine 84 0.72 PCP/PCP combinations 98 0.84

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) 466 4.00 Papaverine 10 0.09

Desipramine (Norpramin) 55 0.47 Pentobarbital 37 0.32

Dextromethorphan 132 1.13 Phenaglycodol 88 0.76

Diazepam (Valium) 811 6.96 Phenobarbital 232 1.99

Dihydrocodeine 24 0.21 Phentermine 22 0.19

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 641 5.50 Phenylpropanolamine 29 0.25

Doxepin (Sinequan) 212 1.82 Procaine HCl 21 0.18

Doxylamine succinate 107 0.92 Prochlorperazine 10 0.09

Ephedrine 59 0.51 Promethazine 100 0.86

Fentanyl 53 0.45 Propanolol HCl 24 0.21

Fluoxetine (Prozac) 305 2.62 Pseudoephedrine 67 0.58

Flurazepam (Dalmane) 20 0.17 Quinidine Sulfate 11 0.09

Haloperidol 22 0.19 Quinine 250 2.15

Heroin/morphine 2 4,820 41.37 Secobarbital 32 0.27

Hydantoin (Dilantin) 166 1.42 Temazepam 92 0.79

Hydrocarbon 13 0.11 Theophylline 14 0.12

Hydrocodone 447 3.84 Thioridazine (Mellaril) 48 0.41

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) 46 0.39 Trazodone (Desyrel) 172 1.48

Hydroxyzine 63 0.54 Trimethoprim/sulfamethox 26 0.22

Hyoscyamine 12 0.10 Unspec. benzodiazepine 409 3.51

Ibuprofen 35 0.30 Valproic Acid 61 0.52

Imipramine (Tofranil) 56 0.48

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3 Does not include methamphetamine or other unspecified amphetamines.

NOTE: Percentages are based on a total raw medical examiner drug abuse case count of 11,651. See "NOTES" at end of table.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

Table 2.06b - Alphabetical listing of drugs mentioned most frequently by medical 

examiners: 1999 (Drugs with fewer than 10 mentions are excluded.)1

Number 

of 

mentions

Number 

of 

mentions

Percent 

of total

episodes

Percent 

of total 

episodes

 40 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
Rank Drug name

Number 

of 

mentions

Percent of 

total 

episodes Rank Drug name

Number 

of 

mentions

Percent of 

total 

episodes

Decedents 6-17 years old Decedents 26-34 years old

1 Heroin/morphine 2 33 25.78 1 Cocaine 1,038 48.92

2 Marijuana/hashish 26 20.31 2 Heroin/morphine 2 956 45.05

3 Cocaine 21 16.41 3 Alcohol-in-combination 772 36.38

4 Lidocaine 11 8.59 4 Codeine 230 10.84

5 Alcohol-in-combination 11 8.59 5 Methamphetamine/speed 160 7.54

6 Marijuana/hashish 150 7.07

7 Diazepam (Valium) 126 5.94

8 Amphetamine 3121 5.70

9 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 116 5.47

10 Methadone 87 4.10

11 Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 72 3.39

12 d-Propoxyphene 71 3.35

 (Darvocet N, Darvon) 

13 Hydrocodone 71 3.35

14 Amitriptyline (Elavil) 69 3.25

15 Unspec. benzodiazepine 66 3.11

Decedents 18-25 years old Decedents 35 years of age and older

1 Heroin/morphine 2 423 41.96 1 Cocaine 3,393 40.61

2 Cocaine 390 38.69 2 Heroin/morphine 2 3,389 40.56

3 Alcohol-in-combination 293 29.07 3 Alcohol-in-combination 2,821 33.76

4 Marijuana/hashish 175 17.36 4 Codeine 1,035 12.39

5 Codeine 116 11.51 5 Diazepam (Valium) 624 7.47

6 Methamphetamine/speed 79 7.84 6 Methadone 519 6.21

7 Diazepam (Valium) 54 5.36 7 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 465 5.57

8 Amphetamine 3

53 5.26 8 Methamphetamine/speed 441 5.28

9 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 50 4.96 9 Amitriptyline (Elavil) 395 4.73

10 PCP/PCP combinations 37 3.67 10 d-Propoxyphene 376 4.50

11 Methadone 33 3.27 (Darvocet N, Darvon) 

12 Lidocaine 31 3.08 11 Nortriptyline 361 4.32

13 Unspec. benzodiazepine 29 2.88 12 Hydrocodone 349 4.18

14 Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 24 2.38 13 Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 328 3.93

15 Hydrocodone 24 2.38 14 Marijuana/hashish 317 3.79

15 Unspec. benzodiazepine 307 3.67

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3 Does not include methamphetamine or other unspecified amphetamines.

NOTE: Percentages are based on total raw medical examiner drug abuse case counts of 128 decedents 6-17 years old, 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

 

Table 2.06c - Drugs mentioned most frequently by medical examiners 

according to age of decedent: 1999

(Drugs with fewer than 10 mentions are excluded.)1

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only 

substance mentioned.

1,008 decedents 18-25 years old, 2,122 decedents 26-34 years old, and 8,355 decedents age 35 years and older. See 

"NOTES" at end of table.

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 41 
Rank Drug name

Number 

of 

mentions

Percent 

of total 

episodes Rank Drug name

Number 

of 

mentions

Percent 

of total 

episodes

White Decedents Hispanic Decedents

1 Heroin/morphine 2

2,915 41.39 1 Heroin/morphine 2601 46.73

2 Alcohol-in-combination 2,327 33.04 2 Cocaine 581 45.18

3 Cocaine 2,257 32.05 3 Alcohol-in-combination 551 42.85

4 Codeine 871 12.37 4 Codeine 152 11.82

5 Diazepam (Valium) 656 9.32 5 Methamphetamine/speed 70 5.44

6 Methamphetamine/speed 555 7.88 6 Methadone 63 4.90

7 Marijuana/hashish 464 6.59 7 Lidocaine 60 4.67

8 Methadone 453 6.43 8 Marijuana/hashish 52 4.04

9 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 443 6.29 9 Diazepam (Valium) 46 3.58

10 d-Propoxyphene 393 5.58 10 Amphetamine 342 3.27

 (Darvocet N, Darvon) 11 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 39 3.03

11 Hydrocodone 381 5.41 12 Unspec. benzodiazepine 34 2.64

12 Amphetamine 3

377 5.35 13 Phenobarbital 29 2.26

13 Amitriptyline (Elavil) 355 5.04 14 Amitriptyline (Elavil) 28 2.18

14 Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 338 4.80 15 Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 27 2.1

15 Nortriptyline 324 4.60

Black Decedents

1 Cocaine 1,937 64.08

2 Heroin/morphine 2

1,193 39.46

3 Alcohol-in-combination 943 31.19

4 Codeine 343 11.35

5 Marijuana/hashish 141 4.66

6 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 138 4.57

7 Lidocaine 137 4.53

8 Quinine 124 4.10

9 Methadone 118 3.90

10 Diazepam (Valium) 89 2.94

11 Amitriptyline (Elavil) 85 2.81

12 Nortriptyline 73 2.41

13 Unspec. benzodiazepine 61 2.02

14 Hydantoin (Dilantin) 53 1.75

15 Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 51 1.69

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

NOTE: Percentages are based on total raw medical examiner drug abuse case counts of 7,042 white decedents, 3,023 black

decedents, and 1,286 Hispanic decedents. See "NOTES" at end of table.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 2.06d - Drugs mentioned most frequently by medical examiners 

according to race/ethnicity of decedent: 1999

(Drugs with fewer than 10 mentions are excluded.)1

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

 42 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
Rank Drug name

Number 

of 

mentions

Percent 

of total 

episodes Rank Drug name

Number 

of 

mentions

Percent 

of total 

episodes

Male Decedents Female Decedents

1 Heroin/morphine 2

3,854 45.26 1 Cocaine 1,026 33.28

2 Cocaine 3,813 44.77 2 Heroin/morphine 2

942 30.55

3 Alcohol-in-combination 3,165 37.17 3 Alcohol-in-combination 727 23.58

4 Codeine 1,058 12.42 4 Codeine 330 10.70

5 Diazepam (Valium) 571 6.71 5 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 266 8.63

6 Marijuana/hashish 554 6.51 6 Diazepam (Valium) 234 7.59

7 Methamphetamine/speed 539 6.33 7 Amitriptyline (Elavil) 226 7.33

8 Methadone 433 5.08 8 d-Propoxyphene 211 6.84

9 Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 373 4.38 (Darvocet N, Darvon) 

10 Amphetamine 3350 4.11 9 Methadone 207 6.71

11 Unspec. benzodiazepine 272 3.19 10 Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 199 6.45

12 Hydrocodone 263 3.09 11 Nortriptyline 197 6.39

13 Lidocaine 254 2.98 12 Hydrocodone 182 5.90

14 d-Propoxyphene 251 2.95 13 Methamphetamine/speed 151 4.90

 (Darvocet N, Darvon) 14 Fluoxetine (Prozac) 146 4.74

15 Amitriptyline (Elavil) 247 2.90 15 Unspec. benzodiazepine 134 4.35

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3 Does not include methamphetamine or other unspecified amphetamines.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 2.06e - Drugs mentioned most frequently by medical examiners 

according to gender of decedent: 1999

(Drugs with fewer than 10 mentions are excluded.)1

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only 

substance mentioned.

NOTE: Percentages are based on total raw medical examiner drug abuse case counts of 8,516 male decedents and 3,083 

female decedents. 

In using this table, the reader should be aware that individual drugs are frequently mentioned in combination with other drugs 

and that the population at risk for an adverse consequence relating to the abuse of any particular drug is unknown, i.e., the 

number of people abusing a particular substance, either alone or in combination, is unknown. Thus, the relative frequency of 

mentions of any drug pertains only to the DAWN system and not to the larger population at risk.

The drug categories represented in this table are more detailed than those in other tables in this report. Specifically, codeine 

combination drugs and individual inhalants are listed seperately in this table but are grouped in aggregate categories in the 

main tables of this report. Diphenylhydantoin sodium is listed as hydantoin. Also the benzodiazepine category includes 

benzodiazepines other than alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, flurazepam, lorazepam, 

nitrazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, triazolam, and temazepam.

Within the context of the DAWN drug classification scheme, some specific drugs, e.g., certain combination drugs, are not 

grouped together at the roughly generic level reflected in most of the tables in this report. Some of these "ungrouped" drugs 

were reported frequently enough to meet the criteria for inclusion in this table but are not shown. These drugs, however, are 

included in the other tables in this report under the categories of "other/unspecified" drugs within therapeutic classes or under 

"all other drugs," as appropriate.

In using this table, the reader should be aware that individual drugs are frequently mentioned in combination with other drugs 

and that the population at risk for an adverse consequence relating to the abuse of any particular drug is unknown, i.e., the 

number of people abusing a particular substance, either alone or in combination, is unknown. Thus, the relative frequency of 

mentions of any drug pertains only to the DAWN system and not to the larger population at risk.

The drug categories represented in this table are more detailed than those in other tables in this report. Specifically, codeine 

combination drugs and individual inhalants are listed seperately in this table but are grouped in aggregate categories in the 

main tables of this report. Diphenylhydantoin sodium is listed as hydantoin. Also the benzodiazepine category includes 

benzodiazepines other than alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, flurazepam, lorazepam, 

nitrazepam, oxazepam, prazepam, triazolam, and temazepam.

Within the context of the DAWN drug classification scheme, some specific drugs, e.g., certain combination drugs, are not 

grouped together at the roughly generic level reflected in most of the tables in this report. Some of these "ungrouped" drugs 

were reported frequently enough to meet the criteria for inclusion in this table but are not shown. These drugs, however, are 

included in the other tables in this report under the categories of "other/unspecified" drugs within therapeutic classes or under 

"all other drugs," as appropriate.

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 43 
Percent

TRANQUILIZERS .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2,038 1,318 707 

Diazepam (Valium) ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................811 7.0 571 6.7 234 7.6

Alprazolam (Xanax) .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................252 2.2 147 1.7 105 3.4

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................75 0.6 54 0.6 21 0.7

Lorazepam (Ativan) .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................50 0.4 28 0.3 22 0.7

Meprobamate ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................170 1.5 89 1.0 81 2.6

Other/unspecified ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 680 5.8 429 5.0 244 7.9 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8,295 6,181 2,073 

Heroin/morphine 3 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

4,820 41.4 3,854 45.3 942 30.6

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................ 466 4.0 251 2.9 211 6.8

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................643 5.5 433 5.1 207 6.7

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ............................... 262 2.2 158 1.9 103 3.3

Codeine ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1,395 12.0 1,058 12.4 330 10.7

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................103 0.9 64 0.8 39 1.3

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) .................................................................................................................................................. 46 0.4 33 0.4 13 0.4

Other/unspecified ............................................................560 4.8 330 3.9 228 7.4 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 630 353 274 

Aspirin ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................104 0.9 62 0.7 41 1.3

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................427 3.7 227 2.7 199 6.5

Other/unspecified..................................................... 99 0.8 64 0.8 34 1.1 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES ................................................................................................................................................... 185 96 88 

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................1 * - - 1 *

Flurazepam (Dalmane) ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20 0.2 9 0.1 10 0.3

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) ............ 1 * 1 * - -

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 * 3 * - -

Glutethimide (Doriden) ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................- - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 * - - 1 *

Other/unspecified ............................................................159 1.4 83 1.0 76 2.5 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1,745 926 805 

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .................................................................................................................................................... 477 4.1 247 2.9 226 7.3

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ............................................................ - - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) ................................................................................................................................................................................. 212 1.8 121 1.4 89 2.9

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ................................................................................................................................................................................ 305 2.6 156 1.8 146 4.7

Imipramine (Tofranil) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 56 0.5 25 0.3 31 1.0

Desipramine (Norpramin) ................................................................................................................................................... 55 0.5 25 0.3 29 0.9

Other/unspecified ............................................................640 5.5 352 4.1 284 9.2 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 176 93 83 

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ....................................................................................................................... 39 0.3 24 0.3 15 0.5

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ................................................................................................................................................... 48 0.4 25 0.3 23 0.7

Haloperidol (Haldol) ............................................................................................................................................................................... 22 0.2 14 0.2 8 0.3

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) ...................................................................................................................... 5 * 2 * 3 0.1

Other/unspecified ............................................................62 0.5 28 0.3 34 1.1 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES ................................................................................................................................................................................ 449 251 196 

Phenobarbital ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 232 2.0 136 1.6 96 3.1

Secobarbital (Seconal) .................................................................................................................................................... 32 0.3 13 0.2 18 0.6

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) .................................................................................................................................................. 37 0.3 28 0.3 9 0.3

Other/unspecified ............................................................148 1.3 74 0.9 73 2.4 

AMPHETAMINES ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1,206 932 273 

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 452 3.9 350 4.1 102 3.3

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................................................................................................................. 690 5.9 539 6.3 151 4.9

Other/unspecified ............................................................64 0.5 43 0.5 20 0.6 

HALLUCINOGENS .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 105 89 16 

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................................................................................................................... 98 0.8 85 1.0 13 0.4

LSD ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5 * 3 * 2 0.1

Other/unspecified ............................................................ 2 * 1 * 1 *

 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .................................................................................................................................................... 3,916 33.6 3,165 37.2 727 23.6

Cocaine ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................4,864 41.7 3,813 44.8 1,026 33.3

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 670 5.8 554 6.5 109 3.5

Codeine combinations ............................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ............................................................ 166 1.4 115 1.4 51 1.7

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ....................................................................................................................... 641 5.5 373 4.4 266 8.6

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols ...................................................................................................................... 129 1.1 93 1.1 36 1.2

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ................................................................................................................................................. 12 0.1 10 0.1 2 0.1

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3,713 31.9 2,264 26.6 1,437 46.6

DRUG UNKNOWN ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 166 1.4 126 1.5 40 1.3 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 29,106 249.8 20,752 243.7 8,209 266.3 

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS .............................................................................................................................................................................. 11,651 100.0 8,516 100.0 3,083 100.0

2 Includes episodes for which gender was unknown or not reported.

3

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Number Percent

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned. See discussion in the Introduction.

Table 2.07 - Number of mentions and percentage distribution of total deaths by drug 

group according to gender: 1999

Drug groups: Male Female

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commmonly encountered brands) Number

TOTAL 1,2

Percent Number

 44 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1998
TRANQUILIZERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2,038 1,636 228 121 53 

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................ 811 7.0 656 9.3 89 2.9 46 3.6 20 6.7

Alprazolam (Xanax) .............................................................................................................. 252 2.2 220 3.1 15 0.5 11 0.9 6 2.0

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ............................................................................................................ 75 0.6 57 0.8 14 0.5 3 0.2 1 0.3

Lorazepam (Ativan) .............................................................................................................. 50 0.4 45 0.6 3 0.1 1 0.1 1 0.3

Meprobamate .......................................................................................................................... 170 1.5 146 2.1 10 0.3 6 0.5 8 2.7

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 680 5.8 512 7.3 97 3.2 54 4.2 17 5.7 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8,295 5,439 1,782 888 186 

Heroin/morphine 3........................................................................ 4,820 41.4 2,915 41.4 1,193 39.5 601 46.7 111 37.0

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ................................................................................................ 466 4.0 393 5.6 39 1.3 23 1.8 11 3.7

Methadone .......................................................................................................................... 643 5.5 453 6.4 118 3.9 63 4.9 9 3.0

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ..................................................................................... 262 2.2 229 3.3 19 0.6 5 0.4 9 3.0

Codeine ..................................................................................................................................... 1,395 12.0 871 12.4 343 11.3 152 11.8 29 9.7

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................................................................ 103 0.9 67 1.0 24 0.8 10 0.8 2 0.7

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ............................................................................................................ 46 0.4 40 0.6 5 0.2 - - 1 0.3

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 560 4.8 471 6.7 41 1.4 34 2.6 14 4.7 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 630 490 78 45 17 

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................................... 104 0.9 82 1.2 12 0.4 8 0.6 2 0.7

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ............................................................................................................. 427 3.7 338 4.8 51 1.7 27 2.1 11 3.7

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 99 0.8 70 1.0 15 0.5 10 0.8 4 1.3 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .................................................................................................................................................... 185 160 10 10 5 

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ................................................................................................. 1 * 1 * - - - - - -

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .............................................................................................................. 20 0.2 13 0.2 1 * 4 0.3 2 0.7

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) .................................................................................... 1 * 1 * - - - - - -

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ............................................................................................................ 3 * 3 * - - - - - -

Glutethimide (Doriden) .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ........................................................................................................................ 1 * 1 * - - - - - -

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 159 1.4 141 2.0 9 0.3 6 0.5 3 1.0 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1,745 1,377 238 100 30 

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................................................................. 477 4.1 355 5.0 85 2.8 28 2.2 9 3.0

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) .............................................................................................................. 212 1.8 161 2.3 30 1.0 17 1.3 4 1.3

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................................................ 305 2.6 262 3.7 23 0.8 14 1.1 6 2.0

Imipramine (Tofranil) ............................................................................................................. 56 0.5 50 0.7 5 0.2 - - 1 0.3

Desipramine (Norpramin) ............................................................................................................. 55 0.5 48 0.7 5 0.2 1 0.1 1 0.3

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 640 5.5 501 7.1 90 3.0 40 3.1 9 3.0 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 176 105 45 21 5 

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ............................................................................................................ 39 0.3 23 0.3 12 0.4 4 0.3 - -

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................................................................. 48 0.4 33 0.5 8 0.3 6 0.5 1 0.3

Haloperidol (Haldol) .............................................................................................................. 22 0.2 10 0.1 10 0.3 2 0.2 - -

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) .................................................................................................. 5 * 5 0.1 - - - - - -

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 62 0.5 34 0.5 15 0.5 9 0.7 4 1.3 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 449 333 64 44 8 

Phenobarbital .......................................................................................................................... 232 2.0 152 2.2 47 1.6 29 2.3 4 1.3

Secobarbital (Seconal) .............................................................................................................. 32 0.3 29 0.4 2 0.1 - - 1 0.3

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ............................................................................................................ 37 0.3 21 0.3 8 0.3 6 0.5 2 0.7

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 148 1.3 131 1.9 7 0.2 9 0.7 1 0.3 

AMPHETAMINES ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1,206 985 64 116 41 

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................... 452 3.9 377 5.4 21 0.7 42 3.3 12 4.0

Methamphetamine/speed ............................................................................................................. 690 5.9 555 7.9 42 1.4 70 5.4 23 7.7

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 64 0.5 53 0.8 1 * 4 0.3 6 2.0 

HALLUCINOGENS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 105 42 47 15 1 

PCP/PCP combinations .............................................................................................................. 98 0.8 35 0.5 47 1.6 15 1.2 1 0.3

LSD ..................................................................................................................................... 5 * 5 0.1 - - - - - -

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 2 * 2 * - - - - - -

 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .............................................................................................................. 3,916 33.6 2,327 33.0 943 31.2 551 42.8 95 31.7

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 4,864 41.7 2,257 32.1 1,937 64.1 581 45.2 89 29.7

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................ 670 5.8 464 6.6 141 4.7 52 4.0 13 4.3

Codeine combinations .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ................................................................................................ 166 1.4 84 1.2 53 1.8 26 2.0 3 1.0

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................ 641 5.5 443 6.3 138 4.6 39 3.0 21 7.0

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols .................................................................................................. 129 1.1 77 1.1 29 1.0 13 1.0 10 3.3

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ............................................................................................................. 12 0.1 12 0.2 - - - - - -

All other drugs ........................................................................................................................ 3,713 31.9 2,504 35.6 818 27.1 296 23.0 95 31.7

DRUG UNKNOWN ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 166 1.4 121 1.7 16 0.5 20 1.6 9 3.0 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 29,106 249.8 18,856 267.8 6,631 219.4 2,938 228.5 681 227.0 

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 11,651 100.0 7,042 100.0 3,023 100.0 1,286 100.0 300 100.0

2 Includes episodes for which race/ethnicity was unknown or not reported.

3

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 2.08 - Number of mentions and percentage distribution of total deaths by selected drug 

group according to race/ethnicity: 1999

Drug groups: Hispanic Other

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands)

TOTAL 1,2 White Black

Number Percent

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. See discussion in 

the Introduction.

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 45 
TRANQUILIZERS ............................................................................. 19 125 295 783 573 237 

Diazepam (Valium) ....................................................................... 4 3.1 54 5.4 126 5.9 329 7.9 213 7.2 82 6.6

Alprazolam (Xanax) ...................................................................... 4 3.1 22 2.2 32 1.5 109 2.6 62 2.1 23 1.9

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ....................................................... 1 08 1 0.1 4 0.2 34 0.8 24 0.8 11 0.9

Lorazepam (Ativan) ...................................................................... - - 1 0.1 8 0.4 9 0.2 21 0.7 11 0.9

Meprobamate ............................................................................. - - 10 1.0 26 1.2 79 1.9 47 1.6 8 0.6

Other/unspecified .................................................. 10 7.8 37 3.7 99 4.7 223 5.4 206 7.0 102 8.2 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ................................................................................................ 52 643 1,489 3,128 2,234 721 

Heroin/morphine 2 ......................................................................... 33 25.8 423 42.0 956 45.1 1,834 44.1 1,222 41.4 333 26.8

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) .............................................. - - 18 1.8 71 3.3 159 3.8 143 4.8 74 6.0

Methadone ............................................................................... 3 23 33 3.3 87 4.1 255 6.1 218 7.4 46 3.7

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ............................... 4 31 17 1.7 36 1.7 116 2.8 63 2.1 26 2.1

Codeine ................................................................................................................. 9 7.0 116 11.5 230 10.8 492 11.8 398 13.5 145 11.7

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ......................................................... - - 3 0.3 18 0.8 38 0.9 25 0.8 19 1.5

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ......................................................... 1 0.8 3 0.3 7 0.3 18 0.4 12 0.4 5 0.4

Other/unspecified ............................................ 2 1.6 30 3.0 84 4.0 216 5.2 153 5.2 73 5.9

 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ....................................10 36 102 208 166 107 

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................... 3 2.3 7 0.7 13 0.6 29 0.7 23 0.8 29 2.3

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) .......................................................... 2 1.6 24 2.4 72 3.4 141 3.4 114 3.9 73 5.9

Other/unspecified ........................................... 5 3.9 5 0.5 17 0.8 38 0.9 29 1.0 5 0.4 

NONBARBITURATE SEDATIVES ....................................... 2 6 13 54 62 48 

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ............................................... - - - - - - 1 * - - - -

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .................................................................... - - - - 1 * 7 0.2 7 0.2 5 0.4

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) ................................ - - - - 1 * - - - - - -

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ......................................................... - - - - - - - - 3 0.1 - -

Glutethimide (Doriden) .................................................................. - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ......................................................................... - - - - - - - - 1 * - -

Other/unspecified ........................................................................ 2 1.6 6 0.6 11 0.5 46 1.1 51 1.7 43 3.5 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS ........................................................................... 8 51 224 643 563 251 

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .................................................................. - - 10 1.0 69 3.3 170 4.1 146 4.9 79 6.4

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) .............................................. - - - - - - - - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) ...................................................................... - - 6 0.6 27 1.3 85 2.0 70 2.4 24 1.9

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ..................................................................... 4 3.1 15 1.5 35 1.6 115 2.8 98 3.3 38 3.1

Imipramine (Tofranil) ................................................................... 1 0.8 1 0.1 11 0.5 20 0.5 18 0.6 5 0.4

Desipramine (Norpramin) .......................................................... 2 1.6 4 0.4 6 0.3 17 0.4 22 0.7 4 0.3

Other/unspecified ................................................ 1 0.8 15 1.5 76 3.6 236 5.7 209 7.1 101 8.1 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ............................................................................ - 3 39 60 53 21 

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ....................................................... - - 2 0.2 8 0.4 11 0.3 15 0.5 3 0.2

Thioridazine (Mellaril) .......................................................... - - 1 0.1 9 0.4 17 0.4 13 0.4 8 0.6

Haloperidol (Haldol) .................................................................... - - - - 7 0.3 4 0.1 10 0.3 1 0.1

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) ...................................................... - - - - 1 * 2 * 2 0.1 - -

Other/unspecified antipsychotics ................................................. - - - - 14 0.7 26 0.6 13 0.4 9 0.7 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES ..................................................................... 11 27 68 129 116 95 

Phenobarbital ........................................................................... 6 4.7 9 0.9 43 2.0 70 1.7 60 2.0 43 3.5

Secobarbital (Seconal) .................................................................. 2 1.6 3 0.3 1 * 1 * 7 0.2 18 1.5

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ......................................................... 2 1.6 4 0.4 7 0.3 7 0.2 7 0.2 10 0.8

Other/unspecified................................................................... 1 0.8 11 1.1 17 0.8 51 1.2 42 1.4 24 1.9 

AMPHETAMINES .............................................................................. 18 167 298 418 262 40 

Amphetamine ............................................................................. 3 2.3 53 5.3 121 5.7 160 3.8 100 3.4 14 1.1

Methamphetamine/speed ................................................................... 8 6.3 79 7.8 160 7.5 255 6.1 161 5.5 25 2.0

Other/unspecified ................................................... 7 5.5 35 3.5 17 0.8 3 0.1 1 * 1 0.1 

HALLUCINOGENS ............................................................................. 1 41 26 16 15 6 

PCP/PCP combinations .................................................................... - - 37 3.7 25 1.2 16 0.4 15 0.5 5 0.4

LSD ......................................................................................................................... 1 0.8 4 0.4 - - - - - - - -

Other/unspecified ....................................................... - - - - 1 * - - - - 1 0.1 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .................................................................. 11 8.6 293 29.1 772 36.4 1,545 37.1 994 33.7 282 22.7

Cocaine ................................................................................................................. 21 16.4 390 38.7 1,038 48.9 1,947 46.8 1,150 39.0 296 23.9

Marijuana/hashish ....................................................................... 26 20.3 175 17.4 150 7.1 189 4.5 103 3.5 25 2.0

Codeine combinations .................................................................... - - - - - - - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ....................................... 4 3.1 12 1.2 28 1.3 54 1.3 40 1.4 28 2.3

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ....................................................... 9 7.0 50 5.0 116 5.5 205 4.9 178 6.0 82 6.6

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols ...................................................... 9 7.0 16 1.6 25 1.2 24 0.6 29 1.0 26 2.1

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ........................................................ 3 23 - - 2 0.1 3 0.1 3 0.1 1 0.1

All other drugs ......................................................................... 39 30.5 215 21.3 564 26.6 1,253 30.1 1,075 36.4 560 45.1

DRUG UNKNOWN .............................................................................. 4 3.1 23 2.3 35 1.6 56 1.3 36 1.2 12 1.0 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS ................................................................... 247 193.0 2,273 225.5 5,284 249.0 10,715 257.4 7,652 259.3 2,838 228.7 

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS .......................................................... 128 100.0 1,008 100.0 2,122 100.0 4,163 100.0 2,951 100.0 1,241 100.0

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Number Percent Number Percent Number

Table 2.09 - Number of mentions and percentage distribution of total deaths by drug group 

according to age: 19991

6-17 years 18-25 years 26-34 years 35-44 years 45-54 years

Percent

Drug groups:

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands)

55+ years

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. See 

discussion in the Introduction.

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

 46 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TRANQUILIZERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25 1,305 199 336 101 

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................ 5 0.5 536 8.8 70 5.2 153 7.7 29 4.3

Alprazolam (Xanax) .............................................................................................................. 2 0.2 181 3.0 17 1.3 40 2.0 8 1.2

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ............................................................................................................ - - 51 0.8 3 0.2 13 0.7 4 0.6

Lorazepam (Ativan) .............................................................................................................. 3 0.3 30 0.5 5 0.4 5 0.3 4 0.6

Meprobamate .......................................................................................................................... - - 126 2.1 17 1.3 18 0.9 5 0.7

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 15 1.4 381 6.3 87 6.4 107 5.4 51 7.5 

 

 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 539 6,032 616 497 337 

Heroin/morphine 2........................................................................ 438 40.3 3,595 59.1 301 22.2 228 11.5 143 21.0

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ................................................................................................ 5 0.5 325 5.3 34 2.5 58 2.9 18 2.6

Methadone .......................................................................................................................... 43 4.0 402 6.6 85 6.3 33 1.7 65 9.5

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ..................................................................................... 19 1.7 188 3.1 25 1.8 17 0.9 9 1.3

Codeine ..................................................................................................................................... 6 0.6 1,070 17.6 90 6.6 89 4.5 66 9.7

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................................................................ 3 0.3 49 0.8 17 1.3 9 0.5 10 1.5

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ............................................................................................................ - - 31 0.5 6 0.4 4 0.2 3 0.4

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 25 2.3 372 6.1 58 4.3 59 3.0 23 3.4 

 

 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 35 397 81 78 18 

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................................... 15 1.4 64 1.1 16 1.2 7 0.4 1 0.1

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ............................................................................................................. 18 1.7 284 4.7 50 3.7 52 2.6 10 1.5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 2 0.2 49 0.8 15 1.1 19 1.0 7 1.0 

 

 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .................................................................................................................................................... 3 121 10 37 7 

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ................................................................................................. - - 1 * - - - - - -

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .............................................................................................................. - - 14 0.2 2 0.1 2 0.1 1 0.1

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) .................................................................................... - - 1 * - - - - - -

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ............................................................................................................ - - 3 * - - - - - -

Glutethimide (Doriden) .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ........................................................................................................................ - - 1 * - - - - - -

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 3 0.3 101 1.7 8 0.6 35 1.8 6 0.9 

 

 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 1,284 130 141 107 

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................................................................. 7 0.6 370 6.1 33 2.4 27 1.4 26 3.8

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) .............................................................................................................. 8 0.7 167 2.7 12 0.9 8 0.4 9 1.3

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................................................ 3 0.3 210 3.4 27 2.0 44 2.2 19 2.8

Imipramine (Tofranil) ............................................................................................................. 1 0.1 41 0.7 3 0.2 8 0.4 2 0.3

Desipramine (Norpramin) ............................................................................................................. 5 0.5 37 0.6 2 0.1 6 0.3 3 0.4

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 10 0.9 459 7.5 53 3.9 48 2.4 48 7.0 

 

 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 97 19 19 18 

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ............................................................................................................ 2 0.2 19 0.3 3 0.2 5 0.3 4 0.6

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................................................................. - - 31 0.5 7 0.5 5 0.3 2 0.3

Haloperidol (Haldol) .............................................................................................................. - - 9 0.1 3 0.2 3 0.2 4 0.6

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) .................................................................................................. 1 0.1 4 0.1 - - - - - -

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - - 34 0.6 6 0.4 6 0.3 8 1.2 

 

 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 22 266 39 75 28 

Phenobarbital .......................................................................................................................... 9 0.8 125 2.1 27 2.0 32 1.6 23 3.4

Secobarbital (Seconal) .............................................................................................................. 8 0.7 20 0.3 - - 4 0.2 - -

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ............................................................................................................ 4 0.4 15 0.2 3 0.2 13 0.7 1 0.1

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 1 0.1 106 1.7 9 0.7 26 1.3 4 0.6 

 

 

AMPHETAMINES ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 556 131 402 68 

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................... 3 0.3 192 3.2 53 3.9 165 8.3 28 4.1

Methamphetamine/speed ............................................................................................................. 17 1.6 329 5.4 76 5.6 211 10.6 40 5.9

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 1 0.1 35 0.6 2 0.1 26 1.3 - -

 

 

 

HALLUCINOGENS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 45 5 43 7 

PCP/PCP combinations .............................................................................................................. 4 0.4 43 0.7 5 0.4 38 1.9 7 1.0

LSD ..................................................................................................................................... - - 1 * - - 4 0.2 - -

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - - 1 * - - 1 0.1 - -

 

 

 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .............................................................................................................. - - 2,622 43.1 273 20.1 807 40.6 121 17.8

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 308 28.3 2,773 45.6 584 43.1 881 44.3 192 28.2

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................ 2 0.2 185 3.0 127 9.4 316 15.9 29 4.3

Codeine combinations .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ................................................................................................ 4 0.4 60 1.0 27 2.0 35 1.8 29 4.3

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................ 17 1.6 374 6.1 68 5.0 106 5.3 38 5.6

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols .................................................................................................. 11 1.0 29 0.5 26 1.9 18 0.9 36 5.3

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ............................................................................................................. - - 10 0.2 - - 1 0.1 - -

All other drugs ........................................................................................................................ 59 5.4 2,041 33.5 452 33.3 527 26.5 349 51.2

DRUG UNKNOWN ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 92 1.5 15 1.1 47 2.4 9 1.3 

 

 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 1,087 100.0 18,289 300.5 2,802 206.6 4,366 219.6 1,494 219.4 

 

 

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 1,087 100.0 6,087 100.0 1,356 100.0 1,988 100.0 681 100.0

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. See 

discussion in the Introduction.

Table 2.10 - Number of mentions and percentage distribution of total deaths by drug group

according to cause of death: 19991

Drug and external

physical event

Drug and medical

disorder

Drug groups:

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands)

Directsingle-drugDirectmultiple-drugsDrug and 

physiological

Number Percent

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 47 
TRANQUILIZERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 909 551 578 

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................ 393 6.2 196 10.5 222 6.5

Alprazolam (Xanax) .............................................................................................................. 104 1.6 79 4.2 69 2.0

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ............................................................................................................ 39 0.6 20 1.1 16 0.5

Lorazepam (Ativan) .............................................................................................................. 13 0.2 21 1.1 16 0.5

Meprobamate .......................................................................................................................... 97 1.5 31 1.7 42 1.2

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 263 4.1 204 10.9 213 6.3 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5,184 757 2,354 

Heroin/morphine 2........................................................................ 3,240 50.8 210 11.2 1,370 40.3

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ................................................................................................ 199 3.1 132 7.1 135 4.0

Methadone .......................................................................................................................... 383 6.0 54 2.9 206 6.1

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ..................................................................................... 115 1.8 67 3.6 80 2.4

Codeine ..................................................................................................................................... 908 14.2 132 7.1 355 10.4

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................................................................ 54 0.8 8 0.4 41 1.2

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ............................................................................................................ 24 0.4 9 0.5 13 0.4

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 261 4.1 145 7.8 154 4.5 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 180 247 203 

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................................... 17 0.3 58 3.1 29 0.9

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ............................................................................................................. 129 2.0 159 8.5 139 4.1

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 34 0.5 30 1.6 35 1.0 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .................................................................................................................................................... 54 107 24 

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ................................................................................................. 1 * - - - -

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .............................................................................................................. 7 0.1 10 0.5 3 0.1

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) .................................................................................... - - 1 0.1 - -

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ............................................................................................................ 1 * 2 0.1 - -

Glutethimide (Doriden) .............................................................................................................. - - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ........................................................................................................................ 1 * - - - -

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 44 0.7 94 5.0 21 0.6 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 678 565 502 

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................................................................. 200 3.1 140 7.5 137 4.0

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ................................................................................................ - - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) .............................................................................................................. 89 1.4 67 3.6 56 1.6

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................................................ 114 1.8 114 6.1 77 2.3

Imipramine (Tofranil) ............................................................................................................. 21 0.3 22 1.2 13 0.4

Desipramine (Norpramin) ............................................................................................................. 17 0.3 25 1.3 13 0.4

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 237 3.7 197 10.6 206 6.1 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 64 42 70 

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ............................................................................................................ 17 0.3 8 0.4 14 0.4

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................................................................. 19 0.3 11 0.6 18 0.5

Haloperidol (Haldol) .............................................................................................................. 7 0.1 7 0.4 8 0.2

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) .................................................................................................. 2 * 2 0.1 1 *

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 19 0.3 14 0.7 29 0.9 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 174 161 114 

Phenobarbital .......................................................................................................................... 102 1.6 57 3.1 73 2.1

Secobarbital (Seconal) .............................................................................................................. 6 0.1 23 1.2 3 0.1

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ............................................................................................................ 12 0.2 19 1.0 6 0.2

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 54 0.8 62 3.3 32 0.9 

AMPHETAMINES ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 754 184 268 

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................... 268 4.2 79 4.2 105 3.1

Methamphetamine/speed ............................................................................................................. 433 6.8 98 5.2 159 4.7

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 53 0.8 7 0.4 4 0.1 

HALLUCINOGENS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 71 16 18 

PCP/PCP combinations .............................................................................................................. 68 1.1 16 0.9 14 0.4

LSD ..................................................................................................................................... 3 * - - 2 0.1

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - - - - 2 0.1 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .............................................................................................................. 2,364 37.0 639 34.2 913 26.8

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 3,187 49.9 455 24.4 1,222 35.9

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................ 327 5.1 144 7.7 199 5.9

Codeine combinations .............................................................................................................. - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ................................................................................................ 69 1.1 26 1.4 71 2.1

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................ 252 3.9 194 10.4 195 5.7

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols .................................................................................................. 42 0.7 12 0.6 75 2.2

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ............................................................................................................. 7 0.1 3 0.2 2 0.1

All other drugs ........................................................................................................................ 1,365 21.4 874 46.8 1,474 43.3

DRUG UNKNOWN ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 88 1.4 45 2.4 33 1.0 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 15,769 247.0 5,022 269.0 8,315 244.5 

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 6,383 100.0 1,867 100.0 3,401 100.0

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 2.11 - Number of mentions and percentage distribution of total deaths 

by drug group according to manner of death: 19991

Accidental/unexpected Suicide Other/unknown

Number Percent

Drug groups:

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands)

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned. See discussion in the Introduction.

Number Percent Number Percent

 48 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TRANQUILIZERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 64.7 34.7 0.6 100.0 80.3 11.2 5.9 1.8 0.8 100.0 2,038

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................ 70.4 28.9 0.7 100.0 80.9 11.0 5.7 1.8 0.6 100.0 811

Alprazolam (Xanax) .............................................................................................................. 58.3 41.7 - 100.0 87.3 6.0 4.4 2.0 0.4 100.0 252

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ............................................................................................................ 72.0 28.0 - 100.0 76.0 18.7 4.0 - 1.3 100.0 75

Lorazepam (Ativan) .............................................................................................................. 56.0 44.0 - 100.0 90.0 6.0 2.0 2.0 - 100.0 50

Meprobamate .......................................................................................................................... 52.4 47.6 - 100.0 85.9 5.9 3.5 2.4 2.4 100.0 170

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 63.1 35.9 1.0 100.0 75.3 14.3 7.9 1.6 0.9 100.0 680 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 74.5 25.0 0.5 100.0 65.6 21.5 10.7 1.1 1.2 100.0 8,295

Heroin/morphine 2........................................................................ 80.0 19.5 0.5 100.0 60.5 24.8 12.5 0.9 1.4 100.0 4,820

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ................................................................................................ 53.9 45.3 0.9 100.0 84.3 8.4 4.9 1.3 1.1 100.0 466

Methadone .......................................................................................................................... 67.3 32.2 0.5 100.0 70.5 18.4 9.8 0.9 0.5 100.0 643

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ..................................................................................... 60.3 39.3 0.4 100.0 87.4 7.3 1.9 1.5 1.9 100.0 262

Codeine ..................................................................................................................................... 75.8 23.7 0.5 100.0 62.4 24.6 10.9 1.4 0.6 100.0 1,395

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................................................................ 62.1 37.9 - 100.0 65.0 23.3 9.7 - 1.9 100.0 103

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ............................................................................................................ 71.7 28.3 - 100.0 87.0 10.9 - - 2.2 100.0 46

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 58.9 40.7 0.4 100.0 84.1 7.3 6.1 1.6 0.9 100.0 560 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 56.0 43.5 0.5 100.0 77.8 12.4 7.1 1.3 1.4 100.0 630

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................................... 59.6 39.4 1.0 100.0 78.8 11.5 7.7 1.0 1.0 100.0 104

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ............................................................................................................. 53.2 46.6 0.2 100.0 79.2 11.9 6.3 0.9 1.6 100.0 427

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 64.6 34.3 1.0 100.0 70.7 15.2 10.1 3.0 1.0 100.0 99 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .................................................................................................................................................... 51.9 47.6 0.5 100.0 86.5 5.4 5.4 2.2 0.5 100.0 185

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ................................................................................................. - 100.0 - 100.0 100.0 - - - - 100.0 1

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .............................................................................................................. 45.0 50.0 5.0 100.0 65.0 5.0 20.0 5.0 5.0 100.0 20

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) .................................................................................... 100.0 - - 100.0 100.0 - - - - 100.0 1

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ............................................................................................................ 100.0 - - 100.0 100.0 - - - - 100.0 3

Glutethimide (Doriden) .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ........................................................................................................................ - 100.0 - 100.0 100.0 - - - - 100.0 1

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 52.2 47.8 - 100.0 88.7 5.7 3.8 1.9 - 100.0 159 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53.1 46.1 0.8 100.0 78.9 13.6 5.7 1.0 0.7 100.0 1,745

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................................................................. 51.8 47.4 0.8 100.0 74.4 17.8 5.9 0.8 1.0 100.0 477

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) .............................................................................................................. 57.1 42.0 0.9 100.0 75.9 14.2 8.0 0.5 1.4 100.0 212

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................................................ 51.1 47.9 1.0 100.0 85.9 7.5 4.6 2.0 - 100.0 305

Imipramine (Tofranil) ............................................................................................................. 44.6 55.4 - 100.0 89.3 8.9 - 1.8 - 100.0 56

Desipramine (Norpramin) ............................................................................................................. 45.5 52.7 1.8 100.0 87.3 9.1 1.8 1.8 - 100.0 55

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 55.0 44.4 0.6 100.0 78.3 14.1 6.3 0.8 0.6 100.0 640 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 52.8 47.2 - 100.0 59.7 25.6 11.9 2.8 - 100.0 176

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ............................................................................................................ 61.5 38.5 - 100.0 59.0 30.8 10.3 - - 100.0 39

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................................................................. 52.1 47.9 - 100.0 68.8 16.7 12.5 2.1 - 100.0 48

Haloperidol (Haldol) .............................................................................................................. 63.6 36.4 - 100.0 45.5 45.5 9.1 - - 100.0 22

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) .................................................................................................. 40.0 60.0 - 100.0 100.0 - - - - 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 45.2 54.8 - 100.0 54.8 24.2 14.5 6.5 - 100.0 62 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 55.9 43.7 0.4 100.0 74.2 14.3 9.8 1.6 0.2 100.0 449

Phenobarbital .......................................................................................................................... 58.6 41.4 - 100.0 65.5 20.3 12.5 1.3 0.4 100.0 232

Secobarbital (Seconal) .............................................................................................................. 40.6 56.3 3.1 100.0 90.6 6.3 - 3.1 - 100.0 32

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ............................................................................................................ 75.7 24.3 - 100.0 56.8 21.6 16.2 5.4 - 100.0 37

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 50.0 49.3 0.7 100.0 88.5 4.7 6.1 0.7 - 100.0 148 

AMPHETAMINES ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 77.3 22.6 0.1 100.0 81.7 5.3 9.6 2.6 0.8 100.0 1,206

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................... 77.4 22.6 - 100.0 83.4 4.6 9.3 2.4 0.2 100.0 452

Methamphetamine/speed ............................................................................................................. 78.1 21.9 - 100.0 80.4 6.1 10.1 2.0 1.3 100.0 690

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 67.2 31.3 1.6 100.0 82.8 1.6 6.3 9.4 - 100.0 64 

HALLUCINOGENS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 84.8 15.2 - 100.0 40.0 44.8 14.3 - 1.0 100.0 105

PCP/PCP combinations .............................................................................................................. 86.7 13.3 - 100.0 35.7 48.0 15.3 - 1.0 100.0 98

LSD ..................................................................................................................................... 60.0 40.0 - 100.0 100.0 - - - - 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 50.0 50.0 - 100.0 100.0 - - - - 100.0 2 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .............................................................................................................. 80.8 18.6 0.6 100.0 59.4 24.1 14.1 1.2 1.2 100.0 3,916

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 78.4 21.1 0.5 100.0 46.4 39.8 11.9 1.0 0.8 100.0 4,864

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................ 82.7 16.3 1.0 100.0 69.3 21.0 7.8 0.7 1.2 100.0 670

Codeine combinations .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ................................................................................................ 69.3 30.7 - 100.0 50.6 31.9 15.7 1.2 0.6 100.0 166

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................ 58.2 41.5 0.3 100.0 69.1 21.5 6.1 2.7 0.6 100.0 641

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols .................................................................................................. 72.1 27.9 - 100.0 59.7 22.5 10.1 6.2 1.6 100.0 129

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ............................................................................................................. 83.3 16.7 - 100.0 100.0 - - - - 100.0 12

All other drugs ........................................................................................................................ 61.0 38.7 0.3 100.0 67.4 22.0 8.0 1.6 0.9 100.0 3,713

DRUG UNKNOWN ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 75.9 24.1 - 100.0 72.9 9.6 12.0 3.6 1.8 100.0 166 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 71.3 28.2 0.5 100.0 64.8 22.8 10.1 1.4 1.0 100.0 29,106

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. See 

discussion in the Introduction.

Other Unknown

Drug groups:

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands)

Gender Race/ethnicity

TOTAL

Table 2.12 - Percentage distribution of drug mentions by gender and race/ethnicity 

according to drug group: 19991

Male Female Unknown TOTAL White Black Hispanic

Number of

mentions

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 49 
TRANQUILIZERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 0.9 6.1 14.5 38.4 28.1 11.6 0.3 100.0 2,038

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................ 0.5 6.7 15.5 40.6 26.3 10.1 0.4 100.0 811

Alprazolam (Xanax) .............................................................................................................. 1.6 8.7 12.7 43.3 24.6 9.1 - 100.0 252

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ............................................................................................................ 1.3 1.3 5.3 45.3 32.0 14.7 - 100.0 75

Lorazepam (Ativan) .............................................................................................................. - 2.0 16.0 18.0 42.0 22.0 - 100.0 50

Meprobamate .......................................................................................................................... - 5.9 15.3 46.5 27.6 4.7 - 100.0 170

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 1.5 5.4 14.6 32.8 30.3 15.0 0.4 100.0 680 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 0.6 7.8 18.0 37.7 26.9 8.7 0.3 100.0 8,295

Heroin/morphine 2........................................................................ 0.7 8.8 19.8 38.0 25.4 6.9 0.4 100.0 4,820

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ................................................................................................ - 3.9 15.2 34.1 30.7 15.9 0.2 100.0 466

Methadone .......................................................................................................................... 0.5 5.1 13.5 39.7 33.9 7.2 0.2 100.0 643

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ..................................................................................... 1.5 6.5 13.7 44.3 24.0 9.9 - 100.0 262

Codeine ..................................................................................................................................... 0.6 8.3 16.5 35.3 28.5 10.4 0.4 100.0 1,395

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................................................................ - 2.9 17.5 36.9 24.3 18.4 - 100.0 103

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ............................................................................................................ 2.2 6.5 15.2 39.1 26.1 10.9 - 100.0 46

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 0.4 5.4 15.0 38.6 27.3 13.0 0.4 100.0 560 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 1.6 5.7 16.2 33.0 26.3 17.0 0.2 100.0 630

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................................... 2.9 6.7 12.5 27.9 22.1 27.9 - 100.0 104

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ............................................................................................................. 0.5 5.6 16.9 33.0 26.7 17.1 0.2 100.0 427

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 5.1 5.1 17.2 38.4 29.3 5.1 - 100.0 99 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .................................................................................................................................................... 1.1 3.2 7.0 29.2 33.5 25.9 - 100.0 185

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ................................................................................................. - - - 100.0 - - - 100.0 1

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .............................................................................................................. - - 5.0 35.0 35.0 25.0 - 100.0 20

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) .................................................................................... - - 100.0 - - - - 100.0 1

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ............................................................................................................ - - - - 100.0 - - 100.0 3

Glutethimide (Doriden) .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ........................................................................................................................ - - - - 100.0 - - 100.0 1

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 1.3 3.8 6.9 28.9 32.1 27.0 - 100.0 159 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 0.5 2.9 12.8 36.8 32.3 14.4 0.3 100.0 1,745

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................................................................. - 2.1 14.5 35.6 30.6 16.6 0.6 100.0 477

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) .............................................................................................................. - 2.8 12.7 40.1 33.0 11.3 - 100.0 212

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................................................ 1.3 4.9 11.5 37.7 32.1 12.5 - 100.0 305

Imipramine (Tofranil) ............................................................................................................. 1.8 1.8 19.6 35.7 32.1 8.9 - 100.0 56

Desipramine (Norpramin) ............................................................................................................. 3.6 7.3 10.9 30.9 40.0 7.3 - 100.0 55

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 0.2 2.3 11.9 36.9 32.7 15.8 0.3 100.0 640 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 1.7 22.2 34.1 30.1 11.9 - 100.0 176

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ............................................................................................................ - 5.1 20.5 28.2 38.5 7.7 - 100.0 39

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................................................................. - 2.1 18.8 35.4 27.1 16.7 - 100.0 48

Haloperidol (Haldol) .............................................................................................................. - - 31.8 18.2 45.5 4.5 - 100.0 22

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) .................................................................................................. - - 20.0 40.0 40.0 - - 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - - 22.6 41.9 21.0 14.5 - 100.0 62 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 2.4 6.0 15.1 28.7 25.8 21.2 0.7 100.0 449

Phenobarbital .......................................................................................................................... 2.6 3.9 18.5 30.2 25.9 18.5 0.4 100.0 232

Secobarbital (Seconal) .............................................................................................................. 6.3 9.4 3.1 3.1 21.9 56.3 - 100.0 32

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ............................................................................................................ 5.4 10.8 18.9 18.9 18.9 27.0 - 100.0 37

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 0.7 7.4 11.5 34.5 28.4 16.2 1.4 100.0 148 

AMPHETAMINES ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1.5 13.8 24.7 34.7 21.7 3.3 0.2 100.0 1,206

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................... 0.7 11.7 26.8 35.4 22.1 3.1 0.2 100.0 452

Methamphetamine/speed ............................................................................................................. 1.2 11.4 23.2 37.0 23.3 3.6 0.3 100.0 690

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 10.9 54.7 26.6 4.7 1.6 1.6 - 100.0 64 

HALLUCINOGENS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1.0 39.0 24.8 15.2 14.3 5.7 - 100.0 105

PCP/PCP combinations .............................................................................................................. - 37.8 25.5 16.3 15.3 5.1 - 100.0 98

LSD ..................................................................................................................................... 20.0 80.0 - - - - - 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - - 50.0 - - 50.0 - 100.0 2 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .............................................................................................................. 0.3 7.5 19.7 39.5 25.4 7.2 0.5 100.0 3,916

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 0.4 8.0 21.3 40.0 23.6 6.1 0.5 100.0 4,864

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................ 3.9 26.1 22.4 28.2 15.4 3.7 0.3 100.0 670

Codeine combinations .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ................................................................................................ 2.4 7.2 16.9 32.5 24.1 16.9 - 100.0 166

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................ 1.4 7.8 18.1 32.0 27.8 12.8 0.2 100.0 641

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols .................................................................................................. 7.0 12.4 19.4 18.6 22.5 20.2 - 100.0 129

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ............................................................................................................. 25.0 - 16.7 25.0 25.0 8.3 - 100.0 12

All other drugs ........................................................................................................................ 1.1 5.8 15.2 33.7 29.0 15.1 0.2 100.0 3,713

DRUG UNKNOWN ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2.4 13.9 21.1 33.7 21.7 7.2 - 100.0 166 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 0.8 7.8 18.2 36.8 26.3 9.8 0.3 100.0 29,106

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

45-54 55+ Unknown

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. See 

discussion in the Introduction.

Table 2.13 - Percentage distribution of drug mentions by drug group 

according to age: 19991

Number of

mentions

Age (in years)

TOTAL

Drug groups:

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands) 6-17 18-25 26-34 35-44

 50 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TRANQUILIZERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1.2 64.0 9.8 16.5 5.0 3.5 100.0 2,038

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................ 0.6 66.1 8.6 18.9 3.6 2.2 100.0 811

Alprazolam (Xanax) .............................................................................................................. 0.8 71.8 6.7 15.9 3.2 1.6 100.0 252

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ............................................................................................................ - 68.0 4.0 17.3 5.3 5.3 100.0 75

Lorazepam (Ativan) .............................................................................................................. 6.0 60.0 10.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 100.0 50

Meprobamate .......................................................................................................................... - 74.1 10.0 10.6 2.9 2.4 100.0 170

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 2.2 56.0 12.8 15.7 7.5 5.7 100.0 680 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6.5 72.7 7.4 6.0 4.1 3.3 100.0 8,295

Heroin/morphine 2........................................................................ 9.1 74.6 6.2 4.7 3.0 2.4 100.0 4,820

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ................................................................................................ 1.1 69.7 7.3 12.4 3.9 5.6 100.0 466

Methadone .......................................................................................................................... 6.7 62.5 13.2 5.1 10.1 2.3 100.0 643

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ..................................................................................... 7.3 71.8 9.5 6.5 3.4 1.5 100.0 262

Codeine ..................................................................................................................................... 0.4 76.7 6.5 6.4 4.7 5.3 100.0 1,395

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................................................................ 2.9 47.6 16.5 8.7 9.7 14.6 100.0 103

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ............................................................................................................ - 67.4 13.0 8.7 6.5 4.3 100.0 46

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 4.5 66.4 10.4 10.5 4.1 4.1 100.0 560 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5.6 63.0 12.9 12.4 2.9 3.3 100.0 630

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................................... 14.4 61.5 15.4 6.7 1.0 1.0 100.0 104

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ............................................................................................................. 4.2 66.5 11.7 12.2 2.3 3.0 100.0 427

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 2.0 49.5 15.2 19.2 7.1 7.1 100.0 99 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .................................................................................................................................................... 1.6 65.4 5.4 20.0 3.8 3.8 100.0 185

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ................................................................................................. - 100.0 - - - - 100.0 1

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .............................................................................................................. - 70.0 10.0 10.0 5.0 5.0 100.0 20

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) .................................................................................... - 100.0 - - - - 100.0 1

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ............................................................................................................ - 100.0 - - - - 100.0 3

Glutethimide (Doriden) .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ........................................................................................................................ - 100.0 - - - - 100.0 1

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 1.9 63.5 5.0 22.0 3.8 3.8 100.0 159 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1.9 73.6 7.4 8.1 6.1 2.8 100.0 1,745

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................................................................. 1.5 77.6 6.9 5.7 5.5 2.9 100.0 477

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ................................................................................................ - - - - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) .............................................................................................................. 3.8 78.8 5.7 3.8 4.2 3.8 100.0 212

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................................................ 1.0 68.9 8.9 14.4 6.2 0.7 100.0 305

Imipramine (Tofranil) ............................................................................................................. 1.8 73.2 5.4 14.3 3.6 1.8 100.0 56

Desipramine (Norpramin) ............................................................................................................. 9.1 67.3 3.6 10.9 5.5 3.6 100.0 55

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 1.6 71.7 8.3 7.5 7.5 3.4 100.0 640 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1.7 55.1 10.8 10.8 10.2 11.4 100.0 176

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ............................................................................................................ 5.1 48.7 7.7 12.8 10.3 15.4 100.0 39

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................................................................. - 64.6 14.6 10.4 4.2 6.3 100.0 48

Haloperidol (Haldol) .............................................................................................................. - 40.9 13.6 13.6 18.2 13.6 100.0 22

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) .................................................................................................. 20.0 80.0 - - - - 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - 54.8 9.7 9.7 12.9 12.9 100.0 62 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 4.9 59.2 8.7 16.7 6.2 4.2 100.0 449

Phenobarbital .......................................................................................................................... 3.9 53.9 11.6 13.8 9.9 6.9 100.0 232

Secobarbital (Seconal) .............................................................................................................. 25.0 62.5 - 12.5 - - 100.0 32

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ............................................................................................................ 10.8 40.5 8.1 35.1 2.7 2.7 100.0 37

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 0.7 71.6 6.1 17.6 2.7 1.4 100.0 148 

AMPHETAMINES ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1.7 46.1 10.9 33.3 5.6 2.3 100.0 1,206

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................... 0.7 42.5 11.7 36.5 6.2 2.4 100.0 452

Methamphetamine/speed ............................................................................................................. 2.5 47.7 11.0 30.6 5.8 2.5 100.0 690

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 1.6 54.7 3.1 40.6 - - 100.0 64 

HALLUCINOGENS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3.8 42.9 4.8 41.0 6.7 1.0 100.0 105

PCP/PCP combinations .............................................................................................................. 4.1 43.9 5.1 38.8 7.1 1.0 100.0 98

LSD ..................................................................................................................................... - 20.0 - 80.0 - - 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - 50.0 - 50.0 - - 100.0 2 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .............................................................................................................. - 67.0 7.0 20.6 3.1 2.4 100.0 3,916

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 6.3 57.0 12.0 18.1 3.9 2.6 100.0 4,864

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................ 0.3 27.6 19.0 47.2 4.3 1.6 100.0 670

Codeine combinations .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ................................................................................................ 2.4 36.1 16.3 21.1 17.5 6.6 100.0 166

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................ 2.7 58.3 10.6 16.5 5.9 5.9 100.0 641

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols .................................................................................................. 8.5 22.5 20.2 14.0 27.9 7.0 100.0 129

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ............................................................................................................. - 83.3 - 8.3 - 8.3 100.0 12

All other drugs ........................................................................................................................ 1.6 55.0 12.2 14.2 9.4 7.7 100.0 3,713

DRUG UNKNOWN ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 55.4 9.0 28.3 5.4 1.8 100.0 166 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 3.7 62.8 9.6 15.0 5.1 3.7 100.0 29,106

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Drug and 

medical 

disorder

Unknown

Number of

mentions

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. See 

discussion in the Introduction.

Table 2.14 - Percentage distribution of drug mentions by cause of death 

according to drug group: 19991

TOTAL

Drug groups:

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands)

Cause of death

Direct -

single-drug

Direct -

multipledrugs

Drug and 

physiological 

condition

Drug and 

external 

physical 

event

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 51 
TRANQUILIZERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 44.6 27.0 28.4 100.0 2,038

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................ 48.5 24.2 27.4 100.0 811

Alprazolam (Xanax) .............................................................................................................. 41.3 31.3 27.4 100.0 252

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ............................................................................................................ 52.0 26.7 21.3 100.0 75

Lorazepam (Ativan) .............................................................................................................. 26.0 42.0 32.0 100.0 50

Meprobamate .......................................................................................................................... 57.1 18.2 24.7 100.0 170

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 38.7 30.0 31.3 100.0 680 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 62.5 9.1 28.4 100.0 8,295

Heroin/morphine 2........................................................................ 67.2 4.4 28.4 100.0 4,820

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ................................................................................................ 42.7 28.3 29.0 100.0 466

Methadone .......................................................................................................................... 59.6 8.4 32.0 100.0 643

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ..................................................................................... 43.9 25.6 30.5 100.0 262

Codeine ..................................................................................................................................... 65.1 9.5 25.4 100.0 1,395

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................................................................ 52.4 7.8 39.8 100.0 103

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ............................................................................................................ 52.2 19.6 28.3 100.0 46

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 46.6 25.9 27.5 100.0 560 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 28.6 39.2 32.2 100.0 630

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................................... 16.3 55.8 27.9 100.0 104

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ............................................................................................................. 30.2 37.2 32.6 100.0 427

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 34.3 30.3 35.4 100.0 99 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .................................................................................................................................................... 29.2 57.8 13.0 100.0 185

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ................................................................................................. 100.0 - - 100.0 1

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .............................................................................................................. 35.0 50.0 15.0 100.0 20

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) .................................................................................... - 100.0 - 100.0 1

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ............................................................................................................ 33.3 66.7 - 100.0 3

Glutethimide (Doriden) .............................................................................................................. - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ........................................................................................................................ 100.0 - - 100.0 1

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 27.7 59.1 13.2 100.0 159 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38.9 32.4 28.8 100.0 1,745

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................................................................. 41.9 29.4 28.7 100.0 477

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ................................................................................................ - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) .............................................................................................................. 42.0 31.6 26.4 100.0 212

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................................................ 37.4 37.4 25.2 100.0 305

Imipramine (Tofranil) ............................................................................................................. 37.5 39.3 23.2 100.0 56

Desipramine (Norpramin) ............................................................................................................. 30.9 45.5 23.6 100.0 55

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 37.0 30.8 32.2 100.0 640 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 36.4 23.9 39.8 100.0 176

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ............................................................................................................ 43.6 20.5 35.9 100.0 39

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................................................................. 39.6 22.9 37.5 100.0 48

Haloperidol (Haldol) .............................................................................................................. 31.8 31.8 36.4 100.0 22

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) .................................................................................................. 40.0 40.0 20.0 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 30.6 22.6 46.8 100.0 62 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 38.8 35.9 25.4 100.0 449

Phenobarbital .......................................................................................................................... 44.0 24.6 31.5 100.0 232

Secobarbital (Seconal) .............................................................................................................. 18.8 71.9 9.4 100.0 32

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ............................................................................................................ 32.4 51.4 16.2 100.0 37

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 36.5 41.9 21.6 100.0 148 

AMPHETAMINES ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 62.5 15.3 22.2 100.0 1,206

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................... 59.3 17.5 23.2 100.0 452

Methamphetamine/speed ............................................................................................................. 62.8 14.2 23.0 100.0 690

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 82.8 10.9 6.3 100.0 64 

HALLUCINOGENS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 67.6 15.2 17.1 100.0 105

PCP/PCP combinations .............................................................................................................. 69.4 16.3 14.3 100.0 98

LSD ..................................................................................................................................... 60.0 - 40.0 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - - 100.0 100.0 2 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .............................................................................................................. 60.4 16.3 23.3 100.0 3,916

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 65.5 9.4 25.1 100.0 4,864

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................ 48.8 21.5 29.7 100.0 670

Codeine combinations .............................................................................................................. - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ................................................................................................ 41.6 15.7 42.8 100.0 166

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................ 39.3 30.3 30.4 100.0 641

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols .................................................................................................. 32.6 9.3 58.1 100.0 129

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ............................................................................................................. 58.3 25.0 16.7 100.0 12

All other drugs ........................................................................................................................ 36.8 23.5 39.7 100.0 3,713

DRUG UNKNOWN ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53.0 27.1 19.9 100.0 166 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 54.2 17.3 28.6 100.0 29,106

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 2.15 - Percentage distribution of drug mentions by manner of death according to 

drug group: 19991

TOTAL

Drug groups:

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands)

Accidental/

unexpected Suicide

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. See 

discussion in the Introduction.

Unknown

Number of

mentions

Manner of death

 52 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TRANQUILIZERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 23.2 0.6 * 0.1 * 18.4 57.6 100.0 2,038

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................ 17.6 0.9 0.1 0.1 - 44.0 37.2 100.0 811

Alprazolam (Xanax) .............................................................................................................. 38.9 - - - - - 61.1 100.0 252

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ............................................................................................................ 24.0 - - - - 5.3 70.7 100.0 75

Lorazepam (Ativan) .............................................................................................................. 28.0 - - - - - 72.0 100.0 50

Meprobamate .......................................................................................................................... 36.5 0.6 - - - 4.7 58.2 100.0 170

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 20.1 0.7 - 0.3 0.1 0.7 77.9 100.0 680 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9.1 10.8 * 0.2 0.9 14.3 64.8 100.0 8,295

Heroin/morphine 3

........................................................................ 2.1 14.2 * 0.2 1.4 18.1 64.0 100.0 4,820

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ................................................................................................ 21.5 - - - - 48.9 29.6 100.0 466

Methadone .......................................................................................................................... 25.8 2.8 - 0.2 - 5.0 66.3 100.0 643

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ..................................................................................... 38.5 1.1 - - - 0.4 59.9 100.0 262

Codeine ..................................................................................................................................... 7.2 13.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.4 78.9 100.0 1,395

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................................................................ 12.6 1.0 - - - 36.9 49.5 100.0 103

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ............................................................................................................ 19.6 2.2 - - - - 78.3 100.0 46

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 29.1 1.3 - 0.2 0.2 0.9 68.4 100.0 560 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 36.7 0.3 - - - 0.5 62.5 100.0 630

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................................... 38.5 - - - - 1.0 60.6 100.0 104

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ............................................................................................................. 38.6 0.5 - - - 0.2 60.7 100.0 427

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 26.3 - - - - 1.0 72.7 100.0 99 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .................................................................................................................................................... 36.8 - - - - 3.2 60.0 100.0 185

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ................................................................................................. - - - - - - 100.0 100.0 1

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .............................................................................................................. 25.0 - - - - 30.0 45.0 100.0 20

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) .................................................................................... 100.0 - - - - - - 100.0 1

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ............................................................................................................ 66.7 - - - - - 33.3 100.0 3

Glutethimide (Doriden) .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ........................................................................................................................ - - - - - - 100.0 100.0 1

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 37.7 - - - - - 62.3 100.0 159 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 32.2 0.8 - - 0.1 6.0 60.9 100.0 1,745

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................................................................. 37.1 0.8 - - - 0.4 61.6 100.0 477

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) .............................................................................................................. 31.1 0.5 - - - 40.6 27.8 100.0 212

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................................................ 34.4 1.0 - - - - 64.6 100.0 305

Imipramine (Tofranil) ............................................................................................................. 41.1 1.8 - - - - 57.1 100.0 56

Desipramine (Norpramin) ............................................................................................................. 36.4 - - - - 3.6 60.0 100.0 55

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 26.7 0.8 - - 0.3 2.3 69.8 100.0 640 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17.6 - - - - 1.1 81.3 100.0 176

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ............................................................................................................ 30.8 - - - - - 69.2 100.0 39

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................................................................. 18.8 - - - - 2.1 79.2 100.0 48

Haloperidol (Haldol) .............................................................................................................. 13.6 - - - - - 86.4 100.0 22

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) .................................................................................................. 20.0 - - - - - 80.0 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 9.7 - - - - 1.6 88.7 100.0 62 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 26.3 0.9 - - - 1.1 71.7 100.0 449

Phenobarbital .......................................................................................................................... 19.8 0.4 - - - 0.9 78.9 100.0 232

Secobarbital (Seconal) .............................................................................................................. 56.3 - - - - - 43.8 100.0 32

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ............................................................................................................ 32.4 - - - - 5.4 62.2 100.0 37

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 28.4 2.0 - - - 0.7 68.9 100.0 148 

AMPHETAMINES ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4.1 4.9 0.2 0.2 - 1.7 88.9 100.0 1,206

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................... 2.2 5.3 - 0.2 - 3.1 89.2 100.0 452

Methamphetamine/speed ............................................................................................................. 4.6 5.1 0.4 0.1 - 0.4 89.3 100.0 690

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 12.5 - - - - 4.7 82.8 100.0 64 

HALLUCINOGENS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7.6 - - - 1.9 1.0 89.5 100.0 105

PCP/PCP combinations .............................................................................................................. 6.1 - - - 2.0 1.0 90.8 100.0 98

LSD ..................................................................................................................................... 20.0 - - - - - 80.0 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 50.0 - - - - - 50.0 100.0 2 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .............................................................................................................. 100.0 - - - - - - 100.0 3,916

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 0.6 4.4 0.3 1.1 1.5 46.3 45.8 100.0 4,864

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................ 0.7 0.3 1.2 17.3 0.6 9.0 70.9 100.0 670

Codeine combinations .............................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ................................................................................................ 11.4 0.6 - - - - 88.0 100.0 166

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................ 20.9 0.9 0.2 - - 0.5 77.5 100.0 641

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols .................................................................................................. 3.9 - 14.7 - 3.1 1.6 76.7 100.0 129

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ............................................................................................................. 33.3 - - - - - 66.7 100.0 12

All other drugs ........................................................................................................................ 15.5 1.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 82.7 100.0 3,713

DRUG UNKNOWN ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1.8 0.6 1.2 0.6 0.6 - 95.2 100.0 166 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 24.0 4.3 0.2 0.7 0.6 13.8 56.5 100.0 29,106

2

 Includes freebase.

3

 Includes opiates not specified as to type. 

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Smoked2 Sniffed Other/

multiple Unknown

Table 2.16 - Percentage distribution of drug mentions by route of drug administration 

according to drug group: 19991

Number of

mentions

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. See 

discussion in the Introduction.

Route of drug administration

TOTAL

Drug groups:

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands) Oral Injection Inhaled

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 53 
TRANQUILIZERS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3.0 13.5 21.5 61.9 100.0 2,038

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................ 2.3 12.5 22.7 62.5 100.0 811

Alprazolam (Xanax) .............................................................................................................. 2.4 16.7 23.8 57.1 100.0 252

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ............................................................................................................ 2.7 12.0 21.3 64.0 100.0 75

Lorazepam (Ativan) .............................................................................................................. 8.0 8.0 28.0 56.0 100.0 50

Meprobamate .......................................................................................................................... - 4.7 13.5 81.8 100.0 170

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 4.6 16.3 20.9 58.2 100.0 680

 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 11.8 26.8 25.8 35.7 100.0 8,295

Heroin/morphine 2........................................................................ 154 33.7 26.4 24.5 100.0 4,820

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ................................................................................................ 6.7 16.1 21.0 56.2 100.0 466

Methadone .......................................................................................................................... 12.1 25.2 23.6 39.0 100.0 643

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ..................................................................................... 8.4 14.5 16.8 60.3 100.0 262

Codeine ..................................................................................................................................... 3.4 16.7 31.3 48.6 100.0 1,395

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................................................................ 7.8 10.7 23.3 58.3 100.0 103

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ............................................................................................................ 2.2 17.4 17.4 63.0 100.0 46

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 8.0 13.6 18.0 60.4 100.0 560

 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9.7 15.9 21.1 53.3 100.0 630

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................................... 19.2 23.1 26.0 31.7 100.0 104

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ............................................................................................................. 7.3 12.9 20.4 59.5 100.0 427

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 10.1 21.2 19.2 49.5 100.0 99

 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .................................................................................................................................................... 3.8 11.9 22.2 62.2 100.0 185

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ................................................................................................. - - - 100.0 100.0 1

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .............................................................................................................. 5.0 5.0 20.0 70.0 100.0 20

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) .................................................................................... - - 100.0 - 100.0 1

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ............................................................................................................ - - 33.3 66.7 100.0 3

Glutethimide (Doriden) .............................................................................................................. - - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ........................................................................................................................ - - 100.0 - 100.0 1

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 3.8 13.2 21.4 61.6 100.0 159

 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2.9 12.6 19.4 65.1 100.0 1,745

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................................................................. 1.9 15.1 19.9 63.1 100.0 477

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ................................................................................................ - - - - - -

Doxepin (Sinequan) .............................................................................................................. 6.1 18.4 18.9 56.6 100.0 212

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................................................ 1.0 8.9 18.4 71.8 100.0 305

Imipramine (Tofranil) ............................................................................................................. 5.4 7.1 21.4 66.1 100.0 56

Desipramine (Norpramin) ............................................................................................................. 9.1 5.5 18.2 67.3 100.0 55

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 2.8 11.6 19.7 65.9 100.0 640

 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4.5 13.6 17.0 64.8 100.0 176

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ............................................................................................................ 10.3 7.7 15.4 66.7 100.0 39

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................................................................. 2.1 12.5 22.9 62.5 100.0 48

Haloperidol (Haldol) .............................................................................................................. 9.1 27.3 13.6 50.0 100.0 22

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) .................................................................................................. 20.0 20.0 20.0 40.0 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - 12.9 14.5 72.6 100.0 62

 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 11.8 18.7 23.2 46.3 100.0 449

Phenobarbital .......................................................................................................................... 12.5 20.7 21.1 45.7 100.0 232

Secobarbital (Seconal) .............................................................................................................. 31.3 21.9 31.3 15.6 100.0 32

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ............................................................................................................ 18.9 24.3 21.6 35.1 100.0 37

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 4.7 13.5 25.0 56.8 100.0 148

 

AMPHETAMINES ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5.8 37.0 24.1 33.1 100.0 1,206

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................... 2.2 37.8 25.4 34.5 100.0 452

Methamphetamine/speed ............................................................................................................. 8.1 36.8 24.2 30.9 100.0 690

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 6.3 32.8 14.1 46.9 100.0 64

 

HALLUCINOGENS ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 21.0 21.9 19.0 38.1 100.0 105

PCP/PCP combinations .............................................................................................................. 21.4 21.4 18.4 38.8 100.0 98

LSD ..................................................................................................................................... 20.0 40.0 20.0 20.0 100.0 5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - - 50.0 50.0 100.0 2

 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .............................................................................................................. - 45.1 29.7 25.2 100.0 3,916

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 25.1 34.0 22.6 18.3 100.0 4,864

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................ 28.1 32.1 19.9 20.0 100.0 670

Codeine combinations .............................................................................................................. - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ................................................................................................ 19.3 28.3 14.5 38.0 100.0 166

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................ 7.2 18.3 22.8 51.8 100.0 641

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols .................................................................................................. 34.9 34.9 10.1 20.2 100.0 129

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ............................................................................................................. 8.3 16.7 8.3 66.7 100.0 12

All other drugs ........................................................................................................................ 5.6 14.3 19.6 60.5 100.0 3,713

DRUG UNKNOWN ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 13.9 36.1 50.0 100.0 166

 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS ............................................................................................................. 10.5 26.9 23.7 39.0 100.0 29,106

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned. See discussion in the Introduction.

Three+

Number of

mentions

Table 2.17 - Percentage distribution of drug mentions by number of other drugs 

used in combination according to drug group: 19991

Number of other drugs used in episodes

TOTAL1

Drug groups:

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands) None One Two

 54 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
 Cocaine 

 Heroin/morphine 

2

 Alcohol-in-combination  Codeine  Diazepam (Valium)  Methamphetamine/speed Marijuana/hashish  Methadone  Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)  Amitriptyline (Elavil)  d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon)  Amphetamine 

3

 Hydrocodone  Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Heroin/morphine 2

1,973

Alcohol-in-combination 1,758 1,832

Codeine 479 1,107 478

Diazepam (Valium) 218 299 261 133

Methamphetamine/speed 169 171 168 52 35

Marijuana/hashish 157 147 211 21 52 14

Methadone 175 151 152 73 93 18 24

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 150 195 194 79 65 16 25 37

Amitriptyline (Elavil) 98 129 145 61 57 19 10 37 31

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) 80 88 141 41 84 10 12 42 51 34

Amphetamine 3

80 99 114 31 19 392 9 12 6 4 9

Hydrocodone 70 102 88 59 89 15 17 36 37 32 48 12

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 60 102 91 68 60 8 16 19 59 39 84 3 92

Nortriptyline 67 118 120 46 49 18 7 27 30 322 29 4 29 33

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3

 Does not include methamphetamine or other unspecified amphetamines.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 2.18 - Mentions of top 15 drugs reported in combination: 1999

(Based on episodes involving 2 or more drugs.)1

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 55
Frequency

Cocaine

Heroin/ 

morphine2 Codeine Diazepam

d-Propoxyphene Amitriptyline

1,973 Cocaine - Heroin/morphine x x 

1,832 Alcohol-in-combination - Heroin/morphine x 

1,758 Alcohol-in-combination - Cocaine x 

1,107 Codeine - Heroin/morphine x x 

479 Cocaine - Codeine x x 

478 Alcohol-in-combination - Codeine x 

392 Amphetamine - Methamphetamine/speed 

322 Amitriptyline - Nortriptyline x

299 Diazepam - Heroin/morphine x x 

261 Alcohol-in-combination - Diazepam x 

226 Heroin/morphine - Quinine x 

218 Cocaine - Diazepam x x 

211 Alcohol-in-combination - Marijuana/hashish 

195 Diphenhydramine - Heroin/morphine x 

194 Alcohol-in-combination - Diphenhydramine 

175 Cocaine - Methadone x 

171 Heroin/morphine - Methamphetamine/speed x 

169 Cocaine - Methamphetamine/speed x 

168 Alcohol-in-combination - Methamphetamine/speed 

157 Cocaine - Marijuana/hashish x 

152 Alcohol-in-combination - Methadone 

151 Heroin/morphine - Methadone x 

151 Heroin/morphine - Unspec. benzodiazepine x 

150 Cocaine - Diphenhydramine x 

147 Heroin/morphine - Marijuana/hashish x 

145 Alcohol-in-combination - Amitriptyline x

141 Alcohol-in-combination - d-Propoxyphene x 

136 Carisoprodol - Meprobamate 

134 Cocaine - Quinine x 

133 Codeine - Diazepam x x 

129 Cocaine - Lidocaine x 

129 Amitriptyline - Heroin/morphine x x

120 Alcohol-in-combination - Nortriptyline 

118 Heroin/morphine - Nortriptyline x 

115 Alcohol-in-combination - Unspec. benzodiazepine 

114 Alcohol-in-combination - Amphetamine 

105 Heroin/morphine - Lidocaine x 

102 Acetaminophen - Heroin/morphine x 

102 Heroin/morphine - Hydrocodone x 

99 Amphetamine - Heroin/morphine x 

98 Amitriptyline - Cocaine x x

93 Diazepam - Methadone x 

92 Acetaminophen - Hydrocodone 

91 Acetaminophen - Alcohol-in-combination 

89 Diazepam - Hydrocodone x 

88 d-Propoxyphene - Heroin/morphine x x 

88 Alcohol-in-combination - Hydrocodone 

87 Alcohol-in-combination - Fluoxetine 

84 Acetaminophen - d-Propoxyphene x 

84 d-Propoxyphene - Diazepam x x 

84 Alcohol-in-combination - Quinine 

80 Amphetamine - Cocaine x 

80 Cocaine - d-Propoxyphene x x 

79 Codeine - Diphenhydramine x 

77 Cocaine - Unspec. benzodiazepine x 

75 Codeine - Quinine x 

73 Codeine - Methadone x 

71 Fluoxetine - Heroin/morphine x 

70 Cocaine - Hydrocodone x 

70 Diazepam - Unspec. benzodiazepine x 

68 Acetaminophen - Codeine x 

67 Cocaine - Nortriptyline x 

67 Alprazolam - Heroin/morphine x 

65 Heroin/morphine - Phenobarbital x 

65 Diazepam - Diphenhydramine x 

63 Alcohol-in-combination - Doxepin 

62 Alcohol-in-combination - Oxycodone 

61 Amitriptyline - Codeine x x

60 Acetaminophen - Cocaine x 

60 Acetaminophen - Diazepam x 

59 Hydantoin - Phenobarbital 

59 Acetaminophen - Diphenhydramine 

59 Codeine - Hydrocodone x 

59 Alcohol-in-combination - Alprazolam 

58 Heroin/morphine - Trazodone x 

57 Amitriptyline - Diazepam x x

56 Alcohol-in-combination - Lidocaine 

55 Diazepam - Oxycodone x 

54 Alcohol-in-combination - Trazodone 

52 Cocaine - Doxepin x 

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned.

2 Mentions of heroin/morphine include opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

NOTE: Drug abuse episodes involving more than 2 mentions contribute multiple pairs to the data in this table. Three-drug episodes generate 3 paired entries; 4-drug episodes, 6 

entries. For example, an episode in which cocaine, heroin, and alcohol are mentioned results in 3 entries: alcohol-cocaine, alcohol-heroin and cocaine-heroin. Within pairs, drugs are 

listed alphabetically.

Table 2.19 - Two-way drug combinations mentioned most frequently in 

drug abuse deaths: 19991

(Based on episodes involving 2 or more drugs.)

Combination includes:

Drug combination

 56 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
Frequency

Cocaine

Heroin/ 

morphine2 Codeine Diazepam

d-Propoxyphene Amitriptyline

52 Codeine - Methamphetamine/speed x 

52 Diazepam - Marijuana/hashish x 

52 Doxepin - Heroin/morphine x 

52 Heroin/morphine - Oxycodone x 

52 Alcohol-in-combination - Phenobarbital 

51 Alprazolam - Cocaine x 

51 d-Propoxyphene - Diphenhydramine x 

50 Cocaine - Fluoxetine x 

49 Diazepam - Nortriptyline x 

48 d-Propoxyphene - Hydrocodone x 

46 Codeine - Nortriptyline x 

45 Alcohol-in-combination - Meprobamate 

45 Diazepam - Fluoxetine x 

45 Hydrocodone - Oxycodone 

44 Cocaine - Dextromethorphan x 

44 Hydrocodone - Meprobamate 

43 Heroin/morphine - PCP/PCP combinations x 

43 Carisoprodol - Hydrocodone 

43 Alprazolam - Hydrocodone 

43 Codeine - Unspec. benzodiazepine x 

42 d-Propoxyphene - Methadone x 

41 Codeine - d-Propoxyphene x x 

40 Marijuana/hashish - Unspec. benzodiazepine 

40 Alcohol-in-combination - Chlordiazepoxide 

39 Cocaine - PCP/PCP combinations x 

39 Heroin/morphine - Meprobamate x 

39 Alprazolam - Methadone 

39 Acetaminophen - Amitriptyline x

39 Alcohol-in-combination - Carisoprodol 

38 Diphenhydramine - Fluoxetine 

37 d-Propoxyphene - Fluoxetine x 

37 Diphenhydramine - Methadone 

37 Amitriptyline - Methadone x

37 Carisoprodol - Codeine x 

37 Diphenhydramine - Hydrocodone 

36 Cocaine - Phenobarbital x 

36 Cocaine - Oxycodone x 

36 Hydrocodone - Methadone 

36 Desipramine - Imipramine 

36 Alprazolam - Diazepam x 

35 Diazepam - Methamphetamine/speed x 

35 Alprazolam - d-Propoxyphene x 

35 Heroin/morphine - Hydantoin x 

34 Amitriptyline - d-Propoxyphene x x

34 Codeine - Meprobamate x 

34 Carisoprodol - Heroin/morphine x 

34 Heroin/morphine - Meperidine HCl x 

34 Dextromethorphan - Heroin/morphine x 

34 Codeine - Fluoxetine x 

33 Fluoxetine - Methadone 

33 Acetaminophen - Nortriptyline 

33 Codeine - Doxepin x 

32 Carisoprodol - d-Propoxyphene x 

32 Carisoprodol - Diazepam x 

32 Diazepam - Temazepam x 

32 Amitriptyline - Hydrocodone x

32 Alprazolam - Unspec. benzodiazepine 

31 Chlorpheniramine - Cocaine x 

31 Amphetamine - Codeine x 

31 Acetaminophen - Aspirin 

31 d-Propoxyphene - Unspec. benzodiazepine x 

31 Doxepin - Methadone 

31 Acetaminophen - Oxycodone 

31 Amitriptyline - Diphenhydramine x

30 Methadone - Unspec. benzodiazepine 

30 Codeine - Phenobarbital x 

30 Diphenhydramine - Nortriptyline 

30 Dextromethorphan - Doxylamine Succinate 

30 Alcohol-in-combination - Dextromethorphan 

29 Cocaine - Hydantoin x 

29 d-Propoxyphene - Meprobamate x 

29 d-Propoxyphene - Nortriptyline x 

29 Chlorpheniramine - Heroin/morphine x 

29 Hydrocodone - Nortriptyline 

28 Diazepam - Meprobamate x 

28 Codeine - Lidocaine x 

1 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned.

2 Mentions of heroin/morphine include opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

NOTE: Drug abuse episodes involving more than 2 mentions contribute multiple pairs to the data in this table. Three-drug episodes generate 3 paired entries; 4-drug episodes, 6 

entries. For example, an episode in which cocaine, heroin, and alcohol are mentioned results in 3 entries: alcohol-cocaine, alcohol-heroin and cocaine-heroin. Within pairs, drugs are 

listed alphabetically.

Table 2.19 - Two-way drug combinations mentioned most frequently in 

drug abuse deaths: 19991

(Based on episodes involving 2 or more drugs.) - Continued

Combination includes:

Drug combination

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 57 
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) .............................................................. 427 2 42 6 4 1 -

Alcohol-in-comb. ................................................. 3,916 40 227 29 116 33 5

Alprazolam (Xanax) ........................................................................... 252 10 1 9 - 5 -

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................. 477 7 26 6 8 7 -

Amphetamine .......................................................................................... 452 4 - - - 1 2

Aspirin ........................................................................................................................ 104 - 6 - 4 6 -

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ................................ 75 - - 4 2 - -

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)............................................................. 39 - 1 - - 1 -

Cocaine ........................................................................................................................ 4,864 173 303 39 117 38 1

Codeine ........................................................................................................................ 1,395 10 73 7 25 7 -

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................. 466 6 15 9 6 12 1

Desipramine (Norpramin) .......................................................................................... 55 - 1 3 2 1 -

Diazepam (Valium) ............................................................................................. 811 11 7 9 - 14 -

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................ 641 14 41 7 - 6 -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium ........................................ 166 3 7 - - 2 -

Doxepin (Sinequan)....................................................................................................................... 212 1 11 3 8 2 -

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................... 305 2 13 11 4 4 -

Flurazepam (Dalmane)........................................................................................... 20 - - 1 - - -

Haloperidol (Haldol) .......................................................................................... 22 - - - - 1 -

Heroin/morphine 2................................................ 4,820 45 451 7 194 37 1

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) .............................................................. 46 3 2 - - - -

Imipramine (Tofranil)........................................................................................... 56 - 2 3 1 1 -

Inhalants/solv./aerosols ......................................... 129 4 2 1 5 - -

Lorazepam (Ativan)............................................................................................ 50 - - - 1 - -

Marijuana/hashish ................................................670 14 - - - 12 8

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................. 103 - 3 2 - 2 -

Meprobamate .......................................................................................... 170 5 5 - 1 4 -

Methadone ............................................................................................ 643 11 11 13 - 4 1

Methamphetamine/speed ...............................690 4 16 - 10 1 -

Oxycodone (Percodan) ............................................................................................ 262 7 11 2 7 - -

PCP/PCP combinations ........................................ 98 - 2 - - - -

Pentobarbital (Nembutal).............................................................. 37 - - - - - -

Phenobarbital .............................................................. 232 3 5 - 3 2 -

Secobarbital (Seconal)............................................................... 32 - - 1 2 - -

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................... 48 - 1 - 1 - -

 

All other drugs ............................................................ 6,155 86 461 56 93 61 6

Drug unknown ............................................................. 166 1 - - 1 2 -

 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................. 29,106 466 1,746 228 615 267 25

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS 311,651 259 557 79 345 106 13

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug mentions are suppressed for that area.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

 Casper, WY

NOTE: Counties included in metropolitan area descriptions do not necessarily represent the entire metropolitan area. See 

Table 1.02 for specific medical examiner jurisdictions reporting to DAWN for each metropolitan area.

1

 Exclude data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

Table 3.01 - Number of medical examiner drug mentions by drug category 

according to metropolitan area: 19991

Drug category

All 

metropolitan 

areas 

 Atlanta, GA Baltimore,

MD 

 Birmingham,

AL 

 Boston,

MA Buffalo, NY 

 58 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) .............................................................. 23 4 21 3 25 - -

Alcohol-in-comb. ................................................. 365 31 127 78 214 - -

Alprazolam (Xanax) ........................................................................... 12 1 5 3 26 - -

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................. 9 4 13 9 34 - -

Amphetamine .......................................................................................... - - 5 3 3 - -

Aspirin ........................................................................................................................ 8 1 4 2 5 - -

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ................................ 1 - 3 - 8 - -

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)............................................................. - 1 1 - 4 - -

Cocaine ........................................................................................................................ 511 53 155 85 275 - -

Codeine ........................................................................................................................ 103 4 10 13 135 - -

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................. 14 2 13 13 49 - -

Desipramine (Norpramin) .......................................................................................... 4 1 2 - 1 - -

Diazepam (Valium) ............................................................................................. 11 15 40 18 97 - -

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................ 31 - 50 6 48 - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium ........................................ 3 1 7 2 8 - -

Doxepin (Sinequan)....................................................................................................................... 4 3 7 6 22 - -

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................... 8 5 12 3 11 - -

Flurazepam (Dalmane)........................................................................................... - - - - 1 - -

Haloperidol (Haldol) .......................................................................................... - - 1 - 3 - -

Heroin/morphine 2................................................ 457 37 80 102 235 - -

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) .............................................................. 2 - - 2 1 - -

Imipramine (Tofranil)........................................................................................... 3 1 3 - 1 - -

Inhalants/solv./aerosols ......................................... - - - - 2 - -

Lorazepam (Ativan)............................................................................................ 1 - - 1 1 - -

Marijuana/hashish ................................................17 1 99 20 93 - -

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................. 2 1 - 2 9 - -

Meprobamate .......................................................................................... 1 1 6 1 4 - -

Methadone ............................................................................................ 26 2 2 15 47 - -

Methamphetamine/speed ...............................- 1 9 9 - - -

Oxycodone (Percodan) ............................................................................................ 3 4 6 7 4 - -

PCP/PCP combinations ........................................ 4 2 3 1 - - -

Pentobarbital (Nembutal).............................................................. 1 - - - - - -

Phenobarbital .............................................................. 4 2 3 1 7 - -

Secobarbital (Seconal)............................................................... 1 - - 2 - - -

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................... 2 - - - 4 - -

 

All other drugs ............................................................ 115 40 167 74 488 - -

Drug unknown ............................................................. 1 - - - - - -

 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................. 1,747 218 854 481 1,865 5 6

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS 3879 117 325 256 695 2 3

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug mentions are suppressed for that area.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

 Indianapolis,

IN

NOTE: Counties included in metropolitan area descriptions do not necessarily represent the entire metropolitan area. 

See Table 1.02 for specific medical examiner jurisdictions reporting to DAWN for each metropolitan area.

1

 Exclude data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only 

substance mentioned.

Table 3.01 - Number of medical examiner drug mentions by drug category 

according to metropolitan area: 19991 - Continued

Drug category Chicago, IL Cleveland,

OH Dallas, TX Denver, CO Detroit, MI Fargo,ND/MN 

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 59 
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) .............................................................. - 7 5 28 14 14 -

Alcohol-in-comb. .................................................1 67 80 504 24 64 6

Alprazolam (Xanax) ........................................................................... - 18 14 21 - 13 -

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................. 1 10 19 62 3 5 1

Amphetamine .......................................................................................... 1 13 29 95 2 1 -

Aspirin ........................................................................................................................ - 1 3 1 3 4 -

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ................................- 2 - 5 - 2 -

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)............................................................. - 1 - 11 1 - 1

Cocaine ........................................................................................................................ 1 63 76 544 19 130 3

Codeine ........................................................................................................................ - 12 37 259 3 23 -

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................. - 7 11 57 12 7 -

Desipramine (Norpramin) .......................................................................................... - - 2 6 2 - -

Diazepam (Valium) ............................................................................................. - 35 40 69 19 6 -

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................ - 8 5 130 8 13 -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium ........................................ - 9 3 74 - 1 -

Doxepin (Sinequan)....................................................................................................................... - - 2 35 1 3 -

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................... - 12 3 51 7 4 1

Flurazepam (Dalmane)........................................................................................... - - - 7 - 1 -

Haloperidol (Haldol) .......................................................................................... - - - 10 - 2 -

Heroin/morphine 2................................................1 21 97 644 12 40 1

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) .............................................................. - 1 3 8 - 2 -

Imipramine (Tofranil)........................................................................................... - 1 2 9 2 - -

Inhalants/solv./aerosols ......................................... - - 1 69 - 2 -

Lorazepam (Ativan)............................................................................................ - 2 1 10 - 4 -

Marijuana/hashish ................................................1 55 2 24 16 3 4

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................. - - 1 29 3 3 -

Meprobamate .......................................................................................... - 4 21 26 - 2 -

Methadone ............................................................................................ - 6 21 81 5 - -

Methamphetamine/speed ...............................1 13 45 147 2 2 -

Oxycodone (Percodan) ............................................................................................ - 8 20 7 6 9 -

PCP/PCP combinations ........................................ - 5 3 25 - - -

Pentobarbital (Nembutal).............................................................. - 1 - 13 - 1 -

Phenobarbital .............................................................. - 7 4 103 1 - -

Secobarbital (Seconal)............................................................... - - 1 3 - 1 -

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................... - 3 - 8 2 - -

 

All other drugs ............................................................ 2 177 131 1,452 74 120 4

Drug unknown ............................................................. - - 1 10 - - -

 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................. 9 569 683 4,637 241 482 21

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS 34 244 252 1,896 62 167 9

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug mentions are suppressed for that area.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

 Milwaukee,

WI

NOTE: Counties included in metropolitan area descriptions do not necessarily represent the entire metropolitan area. See 

Table 1.02 for specific medical examiner jurisdictions reporting to DAWN for each metropolitan area.

1

 Exclude data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

Table 3.01 - Number of medical examiner drug mentions by drug category 

according to metropolitan area: 19991 - Continued

Drug category Jackson,

MS 

 Kansas City,

MO/KS 

 Las Vegas,

NV 

 Los Angeles,

CA 

 Louisville,

KY Miami, FL 

 60 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) .............................................................. 5 5 8 29 10 1 14

Alcohol-in-comb. ................................................. 36 7 89 348 103 15 62

Alprazolam (Xanax) ........................................................................... 1 - 4 3 9 1 13

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................. 11 3 7 35 11 4 18

Amphetamine .......................................................................................... 3 - 7 - 1 - 37

Aspirin ........................................................................................................................ 1 - 3 13 2 1 2

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ................................ - 2 - 3 5 - -

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)............................................................. - - - 2 - 1 1

Cocaine ........................................................................................................................ 33 6 85 488 138 13 52

Codeine ........................................................................................................................ 13 2 20 23 17 4 6

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................. 4 2 18 7 3 2 27

Desipramine (Norpramin) .......................................................................................... 1 - - 2 - - 4

Diazepam (Valium) ............................................................................................. 3 2 5 38 18 4 19

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................ 4 1 14 22 2 3 3

Diphenylhydantoin sodium ........................................1 - - 3 1 - 3

Doxepin (Sinequan)....................................................................................................................... 2 1 2 8 2 2 4

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................... 1 - 4 18 1 1 5

Flurazepam (Dalmane)........................................................................................... - - - 1 - - -

Haloperidol (Haldol) .......................................................................................... - - - - - - -

Heroin/morphine 2................................................ 33 7 83 434 147 23 25

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) .............................................................. 2 - - 4 - - 1

Imipramine (Tofranil)........................................................................................... 2 - - 1 - - 4

Inhalants/solv./aerosols .........................................- - 3 1 - - 3

Lorazepam (Ativan)............................................................................................ - - - - - - 1

Marijuana/hashish ................................................ 14 4 59 62 26 - -

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................. - - 1 2 - 2 2

Meprobamate .......................................................................................... - 1 15 5 1 1 8

Methadone ............................................................................................ 7 - 31 118 21 5 22

Methamphetamine/speed ............................... 5 - - 44 1 - 53

Oxycodone (Percodan) ............................................................................................ 3 5 4 10 3 - 11

PCP/PCP combinations ........................................ - - 2 11 - - -

Pentobarbital (Nembutal).............................................................. 2 - - 1 - - 1

Phenobarbital .............................................................. 2 2 - 2 4 - 4

Secobarbital (Seconal)............................................................... 1 - 1 3 - - 1

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................... - - - 2 - - -

 

All other drugs ............................................................ 42 23 148 217 54 12 123

Drug unknown ............................................................. - - - 12 3 - 1

 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................. 232 73 613 1,972 583 95 530

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS 397 31 222 944 251 46 226

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug mentions are suppressed for that area.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

 Oklahoma City,

OK

NOTE: Counties included in metropolitan area descriptions do not necessarily represent the entire metropolitan area. See 

Table 1.02 for specific medical examiner jurisdictions reporting to DAWN for each metropolitan area.

1

 Exclude data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

Table 3.01 - Number of medical examiner drug mentions by drug category 

according to metropolitan area: 19991 - Continued

Drug category Minneapolis,

MN/WI 

 Nashua,

NH 

 New Orleans,

LA 

 New York,

NY 

 Newark,

NJ 

 Norfolk, 

VA 

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 61 
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) .............................................................. 4 44 6 1 26 1 21

Alcohol-in-comb. ................................................. 16 267 259 77 78 30 91

Alprazolam (Xanax) ........................................................................... 2 42 14 2 3 1 6

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................. 5 36 30 7 10 3 13

Amphetamine .......................................................................................... 3 8 70 15 7 24 5

Aspirin ........................................................................................................................ 2 8 2 - 3 - 5

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ................................ - 5 8 - 8 1 2

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)............................................................. 1 4 3 - - - 3

Cocaine ........................................................................................................................ 4 448 236 60 83 76 110

Codeine ........................................................................................................................ 1 188 110 2 22 1 19

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................. 3 50 37 2 17 1 17

Desipramine (Norpramin) .......................................................................................... - 5 4 1 3 - -

Diazepam (Valium) ............................................................................................. 5 94 52 4 40 5 33

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................ 3 57 46 3 24 - 19

Diphenylhydantoin sodium ........................................ - 15 1 - 6 - 5

Doxepin (Sinequan)....................................................................................................................... - 35 17 3 2 - 4

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................... 1 24 33 2 6 - 11

Flurazepam (Dalmane)........................................................................................... - 1 1 - - - 1

Haloperidol (Haldol) .......................................................................................... - 1 3 - - - -

Heroin/morphine 2................................................ 2 454 183 142 62 92 77

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) .............................................................. - 8 1 - 5 - -

Imipramine (Tofranil)........................................................................................... - 4 4 1 2 - -

Inhalants/solv./aerosols ......................................... - 16 9 3 6 1 -

Lorazepam (Ativan)............................................................................................ - 17 3 - - - -

Marijuana/hashish ................................................16 39 3 - 62 1 7

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................. 1 6 18 - 4 - 1

Meprobamate .......................................................................................... 2 15 16 4 - 1 -

Methadone ............................................................................................ 1 42 44 11 10 12 23

Methamphetamine/speed ............................... 3 7 94 4 9 24 4

Oxycodone (Percodan) ............................................................................................ 3 42 33 7 6 3 3

PCP/PCP combinations ........................................ - 30 1 - 1 - -

Pentobarbital (Nembutal).............................................................. 1 3 3 1 - - 2

Phenobarbital .............................................................. - 31 7 2 12 2 5

Secobarbital (Seconal)............................................................... - 5 1 - - - 1

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................... - 6 5 - 3 - 1

 

All other drugs ............................................................ 32 447 531 36 97 23 191

Drug unknown ............................................................. - - 117 2 - 1 -

 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................. 111 2,504 2,005 392 617 303 680

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS 342 860 561 191 278 148 241

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug mentions are suppressed for that area.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

San Antonio,

TX

NOTE: Counties included in metropolitan area descriptions do not necessarily represent the entire metropolitan area. See 

Table 1.02 for specific medical examiner jurisdictions reporting to DAWN for each metropolitan area.

1

 Exclude data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

Table 3.01 - Number of medical examiner drug mentions by drug category 

according to metropolitan area: 19991 - Continued

Drug category Omaha,

NE 

Philadelphia,

PA/NJ 

Phoenix,

AZ 

Portland,

OR

St. Louis,

MO/IL 

Salt Lake City,

UT 

 62 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) .............................................................. 12 16 10 1 14 -

Alcohol-in-comb. .................................................118 135 77 2 85 10

Alprazolam (Xanax) ........................................................................... 6 3 3 - - -

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................. 19 18 15 - 7 -

Amphetamine .......................................................................................... 73 38 2 - - -

Aspirin ........................................................................................................................ 3 1 3 1 6 -

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ................................ 6 5 2 - 1 -

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)............................................................. 1 - 1 - - -

Cocaine ........................................................................................................................ 74 158 88 1 106 18

Codeine ........................................................................................................................ 87 132 3 - 23 1

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................. 14 15 5 1 6 -

Desipramine (Norpramin) .......................................................................................... 5 3 2 - - -

Diazepam (Valium) ............................................................................................. 35 33 14 - 15 1

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................ 19 28 11 - 14 -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium ........................................ 1 2 2 - 6 -

Doxepin (Sinequan)....................................................................................................................... 2 7 7 - 6 -

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................... 15 16 8 - 8 -

Flurazepam (Dalmane)........................................................................................... 1 3 1 - 1 -

Haloperidol (Haldol) .......................................................................................... 1 - - - - -

Heroin/morphine 2................................................143 193 140 - 103 15

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) .............................................................. - 1 - - - -

Imipramine (Tofranil)........................................................................................... 2 2 5 - - -

Inhalants/solv./aerosols ......................................... - 1 - - - -

Lorazepam (Ativan)............................................................................................ 5 3 - - - -

Marijuana/hashish ................................................ 1 5 - - - 2

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................. - 4 2 - 3 -

Meprobamate .......................................................................................... 6 11 2 - 1 -

Methadone ............................................................................................ 15 19 11 - 5 -

Methamphetamine/speed ...............................88 58 30 - 5 -

Oxycodone (Percodan) ............................................................................................ 5 6 8 - 7 2

PCP/PCP combinations ........................................ 1 3 - - 4 -

Pentobarbital (Nembutal).............................................................. - 3 2 - 2 -

Phenobarbital .............................................................. 2 3 4 - 5 -

Secobarbital (Seconal)............................................................... - 3 3 - 2 -

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................... 4 3 1 - 2 -

 

All other drugs ............................................................ 178 159 100 5 124 2

Drug unknown ............................................................. 12 1 1 - - -

 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................. 954 1,091 563 11 561 51

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE DEATHS 3356 362 251 4 239 31

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug mentions are suppressed for that area.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

NOTE: Counties included in metropolitan area descriptions do not necessarily represent the entire metropolitan area. See 

Table 1.02 for specific medical examiner jurisdictions reporting to DAWN for each metropolitan area.

1

 Exclude data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned.

Table 3.01 - Number of medical examiner drug mentions by drug category 

according to metropolitan area: 19991 - Continued

Drug category San Diego,

CA 

San Francisco,

CA 

Seattle,

WA 

Sioux Falls,

SD 

Washington,

DC/MD/VA

Wilmington,

DE

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 63 
Atlanta, GA Indianapolis, IN Omaha, NE

 Cobb County, GA (13-067) Johnson County, IN (18-081) Douglas County, NE (31-055)

 Dekalb County, GA (13-089) Marion County, IN (18-097) Sarpy County, NE (31-153)

 Fulton County, GA (13-121) Jackson, MS Washington County, NE (31-177)

 Gwinnett County, GA (13-135) Rankin County, MS (28-121) Philadelphia, PA/NJ

 Henry County, GA (13-151) Kansas City, MO/KS Burlington County, NJ (34-005)

 Paulding County, GA (13-223) Jackson County, MO (29-095) Camden County, NJ (34-007)

Baltimore, MD Wyandotte County, KS (20-209) Chester County, PA (42-029)

 Anne Arundel County, MD (24-003) Las Vegas, NV Delaware County, PA (42-045)

 Baltimore City, MD (24-510) Clark County, NV (32-003) Gloucester County, NJ (34-015)

 Baltimore County, MD (24-005) Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA Montgomery County, PA (42-091)

 Carroll County, MD (24-013) Los Angeles County, CA (06-037) Philadelphia County, PA (42-101)

 Harford County, MD (24-025) Louisville, KY Phoenix, AZ

 Howard County, MD (24-027) Jefferson County, KY (21-111) Maricopa County, AZ (04-013)

 Queen Anne's County, MD (24-035) Miami-Hialeah, FL Portland, OR

Birmingham, AL Dade County, FL (12-025) Clackamas County, OR (41-005)

 Jefferson County, AL (01-073) Milwaukee, WI Multnomah County, OR (41-051)

Boston, MA Waukesha County, WI (55-133) Washington County, OR (41-067)

 Essex County, MA (25-009) Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN/WI St. Louis, MO/IL

 Middlesex County, MA (25-017) Carver County, MN (27-019) Clinton County, IL (17-027)

 Norfolk County, MA (25-021) Chisago County, MN (27-025) Franklin County, MO (29-071)

 Plymouth County, MA (25-023) Dakota County, MN (27-037) Jefferson County, MO (29-099)

 Suffolk County, MA (25-025) Hennepin County, MN (27-053) Madison County, IL (17-119)

Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY Isanti County, MN (27-059) Monroe County, IL (17-133)

 Erie County, NY (36-029) Ramsey County, MN (27-123) St. Charles County, MO (29-183)

 Niagara County, NY (36-063)1

 Scott County, MN (27-139) St. Clair County, IL (17-163)

Casper, WY St. Croix County, WI (55-109) St. Louis City, MO (29-510)

 Natrona County, WY (56-025) Washington County, MN (27-163) St. Louis County, MO (29-189)

Chicago, IL Nashua, NH Salt Lake City-Ogden, UT

 Cook County, IL (17-031) Hillsborough County, NH (33-011) Davis County, UT (49-011)

 Dupage County, IL (17-043) New Orleans, LA Salt Lake City, UT (49-035)

 Kane County, IL (17-089) Jefferson Parish, LA (22-051) San Antonio, TX

 Lake County, IL (17-097) Orleans Parish, LA (22-071) Bexar County, TX (48-029)

 McHenry County, IL (17-111) St. Bernard Parish, LA (22-087) San Diego, CA

Cleveland, OH St. John Parish, LA (22-095) San Diego County, CA (06-073)

 Cuyahoga County, OH (39-035) St. Tammany Parish, LA (22-103) San Francisco, CA

Dallas, TX New York and Nassau-Suffolk, NY Marin County, CA (06-041)

 Collin County, TX (48-085) Bronx County, NY (36-005) San Francisco County, CA (06-075)

 Dallas County, TX (48-113) Kings County, NY (36-047) San Mateo County, CA (06-081)

 Denton County, TX (48-121) New York County, NY (36-061) Seattle, WA

 Ellis County, TX (48-139) Nassau County, NY (36-059) King County, WA (53-033)

 Kaufman County, TX (48-257) Putnam County, NY (36-079) Snohomish County, WA (53-061)

 Rockwall County, TX (48-397) Queens County, NY (36-081) Sioux Falls, SD

Denver-Boulder, CO Richmond County, NY (36-085) Minnehaha County, SD (46-099)

 Adams County, CO (08-001) Suffolk County, NY (36-103) Washington, DC/MD/VA

 Arapahoe County, CO (08-005) Newark and Middlesex, NJ Alexandria City, VA (51-510)

 Boulder County, CO (08-013) Essex County, NJ (34-013) Arlington County, VA (51-013)

 Denver County, CO (08-031) Morris County, NJ (34-027) Calvert County, MD (24-009)

 Douglas County, CO (08-035) Somerset County, NJ (34-035) Charles County, MD (24-017)

 Jefferson County, CO (08-059) Union County, NJ (34-039) Fairfax County, VA (51-059)

Detroit, MI Norfolk, VA Falls Church City, VA (51-610)

 Macomb County, MI (26-099) Norfolk City, VA (51-710) Frederick County, MD (24-021)

 Oakland County, MI (26-125) Portsmouth City, VA (51-740) Loudoun County, VA (51-107)

 St. Clair County, MI (26-147) Virginia Beach City, VA (51-810) Manassas County, VA (51-683)

 Wayne County, MI (26-163) Oklahoma City, OK Montgomery County, MD (24-031)

Fargo-Moorhead, ND/MN Oklahoma County, OK (40-109) Prince George's County, MD (24-033)

 Cass County, ND (38-017) Prince William County, VA (51-153)

 Clay County, MN (27-027) Stafford County, VA (51-179)

 Washington, DC (11-001)

1

 Niagara County, in the Buffalo area, has 4 MEs that report to DAWN.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.01 - The Consistent Panel: Medical examiner jurisdictions (along with statecounty Federal Information Processing Standard [FIPS] codes), providing data to trend 

tables, according to metropolitan area: 1996-1999.

NOTE: Counties are listed by metropolitan area as a means of reference. However, the counties listed here often do not coincide exactly 

with the counties included in the official definitions of primary metropolitan statistical areas (PMSAs) or metropolitan statistical areas 

(MSAs). For example, Jefferson County, AL is only one of several counties in the Birmingham MSA. For detailed information on 

metropolitan area definitions, go to http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metrodef.html. The jurisdictions appearing in trend 

tables come from a consistent panel of medical examiner facilities with similar reporting histories over the years from 1996 through 1999. 

Rules for inclusion required that facilities report data for at least 10 months in each of the 4 reporting years. The reason for a consistent 

panel is to ensure that apparent changes over time are not likely to be explained by gaps in reporting. It should be noted, however, that 

trend tables in later reports of medical examiner data may be based on a different panel of reporting facilities and, therefore, trends from 

one annual report to another may not be comparable.

 64 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
GENDER 

 

Male....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................6,919 74.9 7,214 75.9 7,388 73.5 8,459 73.1 14.5

Female................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2,273 24.6 2,233 23.5 2,629 26.1 3,059 26.4 16.4

Unknown/no response ...................................................................................................................... 50 0.5 54 0.6 39 0.4 52 0.4 33.3

 

RACE/ETHNICITY 

 

White..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................5,408 58.5 5,746 60.5 6,123 60.9 6,973 60.3 13.9

Black...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................2,589 28.0 2,636 27.7 2,699 26.8 3,015 26.1 11.7

Hispanic..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................1,045 11.3 923 9.7 1,003 10.0 1,284 11.1 28.0

Other...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................136 1.5 138 1.5 153 1.5 166 1.4 8.5

Unknown/no response ...................................................................................................................... 64 0.7 58 0.6 78 0.8 132 1.1 69.2

 

AGE 

 

6-17 years .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 122 1.3 104 1.1 107 1.1 128 1.1 19.6

 

6-11 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 * 3 * 4 * 14 0.1 ...

12-17 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 118 1.3 101 1.1 103 1.0 114 1.0 10.7

 

18-25 years ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 795 8.6 862 9.1 883 8.8 990 8.6 12.1

 

18-19 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 136 1.5 155 1.6 169 1.7 196 1.7 16.0

20-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 659 7.1 707 7.4 714 7.1 794 6.9 11.2

 

26-34 years ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2,041 22.1 2,012 21.2 1,991 19.8 2,105 18.2 5.7

 

26-29 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 694 7.5 713 7.5 707 7.0 790 6.8 11.7

30-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 1,347 14.6 1,299 13.7 1,284 12.8 1,315 11.4 2.4

 

35 years and older ....................................................................................................................... 6,239 67.5 6,478 68.2 7,032 69.9 8,309 71.8 18.2

 

35-44 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 3,610 39.1 3,664 38.6 3,805 37.8 4,134 35.7 8.6

45-54 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 1,900 20.6 1,991 21.0 2,293 22.8 2,939 25.4 28.2

55 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 729 7.9 823 8.7 934 9.3 1,236 10.7 32.3

 

Unknown/no response ...................................................................................................................... 45 0.5 45 0.5 43 0.4 38 0.3 -11.6

 

TOTAL DEATHS REPORTED 

9,242 100.0 9,501 100.0 10,056 100.0 11,570 100.0 15.1

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Demographic characteristics

Table 4.02 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by demographic 

characteristics: 1996-19991

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned. Based on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Number Percent Number Percent

Percentage 

change in

numbers,

1998-1999

1996

BY THE PANEL1...................

1997 1998 1999

Number Percent Number Percent

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 65 
DRUG CONCOMITANCE 

 

Single-drug episode .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2,283 24.7 2,247 23.7 2,552 25.4 3,028 26.2 18.7

Multi-drug episode ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6,959 75.3 7,254 76.3 7,504 74.6 8,542 73.8 13.8

 

CAUSE OF DEATH 

 

Drug induced (overdose) ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6,093 65.9 6,175 65.0 6,549 65.1 7,103 61.4 8.5

 

Direct-single-drug cause ............................................................................... 883 9.6 845 8.9 933 9.3 1,079 9.3 15.6

Direct-multiple-drug cause ......................................... 5,210 56.4 5,330 56.1 5,616 55.8 6,024 52.1 7.3

 

Drug related (contributory factor) ......................... 2,907 31.5 3,131 33.0 3,220 32.0 4,015 34.7 24.7

 

Drug and physiological condition ..................................... 920 10.0 1,031 10.9 1,016 10.1 1,353 11.7 33.2

Drug and external physical event ................................... 1,740 18.8 1,803 19.0 1,864 18.5 1,983 17.1 6.4

Drug and medical disorder ................................................................................ 247 2.7 297 3.1 340 3.4 679 5.9 99.7

 

Unknown .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................242 2.6 195 2.1 287 2.9 452 3.9 57.5

 

MANNER OF DEATH 

 

Accidental/unexpected ........................................................................................................................................................................................................5,355 57.9 5,409 56.9 5,607 55.8 6,331 54.7 12.9

Suicide ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................1,738 18.8 1,703 17.9 1,783 17.7 1,862 16.1 4.4

Other/unknown ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................2,149 23.3 2,389 25.1 2,666 26.5 3,377 29.2 26.7

 

TOTAL DEATHS REPORTED 

BY THE PANEL1

 ................................................................................................................................................................................................................

9,242 100.0 9,501 100.0 10,056 100.0 11,570 100.0 15.1

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance 

mentioned. Based on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Table 4.03 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by episode characteristics: 1996-19991

Episode characteristics

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage 

change in

numbers,

1998-1999

Number Percent

 66 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
 

TRANQUILIZERS 1,382 15.0 1,521 16.0 1,770 17.6 2,017 17.4 14.0

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................ 735 8.0 744 7.8 773 7.7 801 6.9 3.6

Alprazolam (Xanax) .............................................................................................................. 144 1.6 171 1.8 229 2.3 248 2.1 8.3

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) ............................................................................................................ 97 1.0 99 1.0 86 0.9 74 0.6 -14.0

Clorazepate (Tranxene) .............................................................................................................. - - - - 1 * - - ...

Lorazepam (Ativan) .............................................................................................................. 21 0.2 32 0.3 43 0.4 48 0.4 11.6

Meprobamate .......................................................................................................................... 96 1.0 140 1.5 149 1.5 168 1.5 12.8

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 289 3.1 335 3.5 489 4.9 678 5.9 38.7

 

NARCOTIC ANALGESICS ...................................................................................................................... 6,376 69.0 6,883 72.4 7,219 71.8 8,222 71.1 13.9

Heroin/morphine 2........................................................................ 3,902 42.2 4,217 44.4 4,312 42.9 4,768 41.2 10.6

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ................................................................................................ 380 4.1 397 4.2 416 4.1 459 4.0 10.3

Methadone .......................................................................................................................... 540 5.8 490 5.2 556 5.5 641 5.5 15.3

Oxycodone (Percocet 5, Percodan, Tylox) ..................................................................................... 49 0.5 87 0.9 167 1.7 255 2.2 52.7

Codeine ..................................................................................................................................... 1,190 12.9 1,269 13.4 1,236 12.3 1,392 12.0 12.6

Meperidine HCl (Demerol) ............................................................................................................ 54 0.6 60 0.6 65 0.6 103 0.9 58.5

Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) ............................................................................................................ 31 0.3 32 0.3 32 0.3 46 0.4 43.8

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 230 2.5 331 3.5 435 4.3 558 4.8 28.3

 

NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS .............................................................................. 497 5.4 544 5.7 552 5.5 628 5.4 13.8

Aspirin ..................................................................................................................................... 103 1.1 87 0.9 98 1.0 104 0.9 6.1

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ............................................................................................................. 342 3.7 392 4.1 395 3.9 425 3.7 7.6

Pentazocine (Talwin, Talacen) .................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

Butalbital combinations (Fiorinal, Esgic) ...................... - - - - - - - - -

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 52 0.6 65 0.7 59 0.6 99 0.9 67.8

 

NON-BARBITURATE SEDATIVES ........................................ 140 1.5 154 1.6 209 2.1 185 1.6 -11.5

Methaqualone (Quaalude, Sleepinal) ................................................................................................. 1 * 1 * 1 * 1 * ...

Flurazepam (Dalmane) .............................................................................................................. 33 0.4 33 0.3 40 0.4 20 0.2 -50.0

OTC sleep aids (Sominex, Unisom, Nytol) .................................................................................... 1 * - - 1 * 1 * ...

Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl) ............................................................................................................ 5 0.1 2 * 3 * 3 * ...

Glutethimide (Doriden) .............................................................................................................. 4 * - - - - - - -

Chloral hydrate ........................................................................................................................ 2 * 2 * - - 1 * ...

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 94 1.0 116 1.2 164 1.6 159 1.4 -3.0

 

ANTIDEPRESSANTS .............................................................................................................................................................. 1,480 16.0 1,422 15.0 1,527 15.2 1,735 15.0 13.6

Amitriptyline (Elavil) .............................................................................................................. 439 4.8 426 4.5 402 4.0 474 4.1 17.9

Amitrip. comb. (Triavil, Limbitrol) ................................................................................................ 1 * - - 1 * - - ...

Doxepin (Sinequan) .............................................................................................................. 165 1.8 170 1.8 209 2.1 211 1.8 1.0

Fluoxetine (Prozac) ........................................................................................................................ 221 2.4 220 2.3 219 2.2 302 2.6 37.9

Imipramine (Tofranil) ............................................................................................................. 72 0.8 59 0.6 51 0.5 56 0.5 9.8

Desipramine (Norpramin) ............................................................................................................. 105 1.1 69 0.7 53 0.5 54 0.5 1.9

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 477 5.2 478 5.0 592 5.9 638 5.5 7.8

 

ANTIPSYCHOTICS .............................................................................................................................................................. 196 2.1 205 2.2 165 1.6 175 1.5 6.1

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) ............................................................................................................ 33 0.4 33 0.3 28 0.3 38 0.3 35.7

Thioridazine (Mellaril) ............................................................................................................. 72 0.8 75 0.8 54 0.5 48 0.4 -11.1

Haloperidol (Haldol) .............................................................................................................. 22 0.2 16 0.2 6 0.1 22 0.2 ...

Trifluoperazine (Stelazine) .................................................................................................. 3 * 3 * 5 * 5 * ...

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 66 0.7 78 0.8 72 0.7 62 0.5 -13.9

 

BARBITURATE SEDATIVES ................................................................................ 401 4.3 408 4.3 403 4.0 445 3.8 10.4

Phenobarbital .......................................................................................................................... 157 1.7 197 2.1 168 1.7 229 2.0 36.3

Secobarbital (Seconal) .............................................................................................................. 54 0.6 44 0.5 41 0.4 31 0.3 -24.4

Pentobarbital (Nembutal) ............................................................................................................ 30 0.3 25 0.3 37 0.4 37 0.3 0.0

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 160 1.7 142 1.5 157 1.6 148 1.3 -5.7

 

AMPHETAMINES ................................................................................ 807 8.7 1,032 10.9 895 8.9 1,204 10.4 34.5

Amphetamine .......................................................................................................................... 312 3.4 403 4.2 382 3.8 452 3.9 18.3

Methamphetamine/speed ............................................................................................................. 484 5.2 622 6.5 501 5.0 689 6.0 37.5

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. 11 0.1 7 0.1 12 0.1 63 0.5 425.0

 

HALLUCINOGENS ................................................................................ 94 1.0 79 0.8 69 0.7 104 0.9 50.7

PCP/PCP combinations .............................................................................................................. 93 1.0 76 0.8 68 0.7 97 0.8 42.6

LSD ..................................................................................................................................... 1 * 2 * 1 * 5 * ...

Other/unspecified .................................................................................................. - - 1 * - - 2 * ...

 

OTHER DRUGS 

Alcohol-in-combination .............................................................................................................. 3,399 36.8 3,450 36.3 3,697 36.8 3,888 33.6 5.2

Cocaine ..................................................................................................................................... 4,361 47.2 4,247 44.7 4,553 45.3 4,825 41.7 6.0

Marijuana/hashish ........................................................................................................................ 707 7.6 674 7.1 590 5.9 664 5.7 12.5

Codeine combinations .............................................................................................................. 1 * - - - - - - -

Diphenylhydantoin sodium (Dilantin) ................................................................................................ 89 1.0 99 1.0 110 1.1 166 1.4 50.9

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................ 424 4.6 517 5.4 502 5.0 640 5.5 27.5

Inhalants/solvents/aerosols .................................................................................................. 159 1.7 135 1.4 103 1.0 129 1.1 25.2

Methylphenidate (Ritalin) ............................................................................................................. 2 * 5 0.1 6 0.1 12 0.1 ...

All other drugs ........................................................................................................................ 1,909 20.7 2,143 22.6 2,813 28.0 3,704 32.0 31.7

DRUG UNKNOWN ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 0.1 42 0.4 40 0.4 166 1.4 315.0

 

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 22,429 242.7 23,579 248.2 25,223 250.8 28,909 249.9 14.6

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES ........................................ 9,242 100.0 9,501 100.0 10,056 100.0 11,570 100.0 15.1

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Table 4.04 - Distribution of drug mentions by drug group: 1996-19991

Drug groups:

therapeutic class by drug category

(Examples of commonly encountered brands)

1996 1997 1998 1999

Percentage 

change in

numbers,

1998-1999 Number Percent

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 67 
Metropolitan area

Atlanta, GA 163 139 245 259 5.7

Baltimore, MD 436 485 527 557 5.7

Birmingham, AL 75 88 92 79 -14.1

Boston, MA 264 303 368 345 -6.3

Buffalo, NY 117 136 91 106 16.5

Casper, WY 1 6 4 13 ...

Chicago, IL 551 711 803 879 9.5

Cleveland, OH 107 113 108 117 8.3

Dallas, TX 371 386 359 325 -9.5

Denver, CO 185 191 186 256 37.6

Detroit, MI 494 587 635 695 9.4

Fargo, ND/MN 2 5 2 2 ...

Indianapolis, IN 20 15 11 3 ...

Jackson, MS - 2 1 4 ...

Kansas City, MO/KS 141 140 236 244 3.4

Las Vegas, NV 148 188 232 252 8.6

Los Angeles, CA 1,167 996 1,136 1,896 66.9

Louisville, KY 82 77 81 62 -23.5

Miami, FL 148 177 185 167 -9.7

Milwaukee, WI 7 7 10 9 ...

Minneapolis, MN/WI 59 112 117 97 -17.1

Nashua, NH 15 20 19 31 63.2

New Orleans, LA 158 174 191 222 16.2

New York, NY 1,288 1,081 935 944 1.0

Newark, NJ 219 165 205 251 22.4

Norfolk, VA 64 70 45 46 2.2

Oklahoma City, OK 168 170 212 226 6.6

Omaha, NE 39 45 44 42 -4.5

Philadelphia, PA/NJ 645 897 766 810 5.7

Phoenix, AZ 195 240 390 561 43.8

Portland, OR 170 154 176 191 8.5

St. Louis, MO/IL 305 229 236 278 17.8

Salt Lake City, UT 75 102 118 148 25.4

San Antonio, TX 153 120 97 241 148.5

San Diego, CA 366 419 338 356 5.3

San Francisco, CA 388 317 322 362 12.4

Seattle, WA 239 210 251 251 0.0

Sioux Falls, SD 1 - 1 4 ...

Washington, DC/MD/VA 216 224 281 239 -14.9

TOTAL DAWN SYSTEM 9,242 9,501 10,056 11,570 15.1

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only 

substance mentioned. Based on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 

(see Table 4.01).

Table 4.05 - Number of drug-abuse deaths by metropolitan area: 1996-19991

1996 1997 1998 1999

Percentage 

change in

numbers,

1998-1999

 68 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
COCAINE

Metropolitan area

Atlanta, GA 111 95 166 173 4.2

Baltimore, MD 266 301 311 303 -2.6

Birmingham, AL 45 47 47 39 -17.0

Boston, MA 134 107 145 117 -19.3

Buffalo, NY 39 31 30 38 26.7

Casper, WY - 1 - 1 ...

Chicago, IL 321 390 468 511 9.2

Cleveland, OH 49 36 46 53 15.2

Dallas, TX 134 142 139 155 11.5

Denver, CO 70 65 68 85 25.0

Detroit, MI 240 231 269 275 2.2

Fargo, ND/MN - 1 - - -

Indianapolis, IN 6 4 3 1 ...

Jackson, MS - - 1 1 ...

Kansas City, MO/KS 40 36 55 63 14.5

Las Vegas, NV 68 87 89 76 -14.6

Los Angeles, CA 546 450 425 544 28.0

Louisville, KY 20 32 30 19 -36.7

Miami, FL 129 151 152 130 -14.5

Milwaukee, WI 4 1 4 3 ...

Minneapolis, MN/WI 10 37 18 33 83.3

Nashua, NH 3 7 3 6 ...

New Orleans, LA 63 70 78 85 9.0

New York, NY 749 557 515 488 -5.2

Newark, NJ 144 114 123 138 12.2

Norfolk, VA 27 27 17 13 -23.5

Oklahoma City, OK 37 45 56 52 -7.1

Omaha, NE 10 9 14 4 ...

Philadelphia, PA/NJ 338 474 401 427 6.5

Phoenix, AZ 70 98 174 236 35.6

Portland, OR 55 41 57 60 5.3

St. Louis, MO/IL 88 81 88 83 -5.7

Salt Lake City, UT 37 44 77 76 -1.3

San Antonio, TX 63 45 44 110 150.0

San Diego, CA 108 108 83 74 -10.8

San Francisco, CA 155 127 158 158 0.0

Seattle, WA 81 74 78 88 12.8

Sioux Falls, SD - - - 1 ...

Washington, DC/MD/VA 101 81 121 106 -12.4

TOTAL DAWN SYSTEM 4,361 4,247 4,553 4,825 6.0

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was 

the only substance mentioned. Based on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the 

period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Table 4.06a - Number of mentions of selected top-ranking drugs by 

metropolitan area: 1996-19991

1996 1997 1998 1999

Percentage 

change in

numbers,

1998-1999

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 69 
HEROIN / MORPHINE2

Metropolitan area

Atlanta, GA 18 30 46 45 -2.2

Baltimore, MD 302 356 394 451 14.5

Birmingham, AL 3 5 1 7 ...

Boston, MA 141 176 202 194 -4.0

Buffalo, NY 37 43 24 37 54.2

Casper, WY - 1 - 1 ...

Chicago, IL 224 359 404 457 13.1

Cleveland, OH 46 61 44 37 -15.9

Dallas, TX 66 74 70 80 14.3

Denver, CO 46 66 60 102 70.0

Detroit, MI 157 222 230 235 2.2

Fargo, ND/MN - - - - -

Indianapolis, IN 4 5 1 - ...

Jackson, MS - 1 - 1 ...

Kansas City, MO/KS 19 10 23 21 -8.7

Las Vegas, NV 55 71 90 97 7.8

Los Angeles, CA 554 425 444 644 45.0

Louisville, KY 19 8 16 12 -25.0

Miami, FL 30 38 50 40 -20.0

Milwaukee, WI 1 1 2 1 ...

Minneapolis, MN/WI 8 28 34 33 -2.9

Nashua, NH 4 9 7 7 ...

New Orleans, LA 38 45 62 83 33.9

New York, NY 560 519 448 434 -3.1

Newark, NJ 119 105 109 147 34.9

Norfolk, VA 30 28 24 23 -4.2

Oklahoma City, OK 37 16 26 25 -3.8

Omaha, NE 2 3 4 2 ...

Philadelphia, PA/NJ 385 571 413 417 1.0

Phoenix, AZ 116 108 177 183 3.4

Portland, OR 115 116 127 142 11.8

St. Louis, MO/IL 51 51 61 62 1.6

Salt Lake City, UT 43 68 83 92 10.8

San Antonio, TX 51 30 30 77 156.7

San Diego, CA 165 165 165 143 -13.3

San Francisco, CA 213 160 167 193 15.6

Seattle, WA 150 136 156 140 -10.3

Sioux Falls, SD - - 1 - ...

Washington, DC/MD/VA 93 107 117 103 -12.0

TOTAL DAWN SYSTEM 3,902 4,217 4,312 4,768 10.6

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was 

the only substance mentioned. Based on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the 

period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Table 4.06b - Number of mentions of selected top-ranking drugs by 

metropolitan area: 1996-19991

1996 1997 1998 1999

Percentage 

change in

numbers,

1998-1999

 70 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 163 100.0 139 100.0 245 100.0 259 100.0 5.7

GENDER 

Male................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................117 71.8 102 73.4 182 74.3 189 73.0 3.8

Female...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................44 27.0 37 26.6 63 25.7 70 27.0 11.1

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 2 1.2 - - - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................65 39.9 65 46.8 108 44.1 120 46.3 11.1

Black..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................92 56.4 68 48.9 131 53.5 137 52.9 4.6

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.8 4 2.9 4 1.6 1 0.4 ...

Other..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3 1.8 2 1.4 - - 1 0.4 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 2 0.8 - - ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 0.6 2 1.4 2 0.8 3 1.2 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 16 9.8 11 7.9 17 6.9 32 12.4 88.2

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 51 31.3 26 18.7 56 22.9 49 18.9 -12.5

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 94 57.7 98 70.5 170 69.4 173 66.8 1.8

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.6 2 1.4 - - 2 0.8 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 66 40.5 39 28.1 78 31.8 40 15.4 -48.7

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 5 3.1 1 0.7 8 3.3 7 2.7 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 111 68.1 95 68.3 166 67.8 173 66.8 4.2

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 4.3 7 5.0 11 4.5 10 3.9 -9.1

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.5 3 2.2 7 2.9 6 2.3 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 4.9 5 3.6 13 5.3 11 4.2 -15.4

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.8 3 2.2 4 1.6 14 5.4 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 18 11.0 30 21.6 46 18.8 45 17.4 -2.2

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 22 13.5 17 12.2 24 9.8 14 5.4 -41.7

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 3 2.2 14 5.7 11 4.2 -21.4

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - 1 0.7 1 0.4 4 1.5 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - 1 0.4 - - ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 77 47.2 64 46.0 130 53.1 131 50.6 0.8

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 323 198.2 268 192.8 503 205.3 466 179.9 -7.4

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 436 100.0 485 100.0 527 100.0 557 100.0 5.7

GENDER 

Male................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................344 78.9 419 86.4 419 79.5 439 78.8 4.8

Female...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................92 21.1 66 13.6 108 20.5 117 21.0 8.3

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - 1 0.2 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................200 45.9 208 42.9 227 43.1 256 46.0 12.8

Black..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................232 53.2 272 56.1 295 56.0 295 53.0 0.0

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 0.7 2 0.4 3 0.6 3 0.5 ...

Other..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................- - 3 0.6 2 0.4 1 0.2 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.2 - - - - 2 0.4 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 0.2 3 0.6 4 0.8 2 0.4 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 26 6.0 26 5.4 40 7.6 37 6.6 -7.5

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 133 30.5 114 23.5 115 21.8 117 21.0 1.7

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 271 62.2 336 69.3 358 67.9 395 70.9 10.3

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 5 1.1 6 1.2 10 1.9 6 1.1 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 165 37.8 236 48.7 253 48.0 227 40.8 -10.3

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 21 4.8 23 4.7 30 5.7 26 4.7 -13.3

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 266 61.0 301 62.1 311 59.0 303 54.4 -2.6

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 63 14.4 90 18.6 94 17.8 73 13.1 -22.3

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 15 3.4 12 2.5 12 2.3 15 2.7 25.0

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 5.7 20 4.1 20 3.8 7 1.3 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 28 6.4 33 6.8 36 6.8 41 7.4 13.9

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 302 69.3 356 73.4 394 74.8 451 81.0 14.5

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39 8.9 29 6.0 36 6.8 11 2.0 -69.4

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - 16 2.9 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 5 1.1 1 0.2 3 0.6 2 0.4 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 564 129.4 583 120.2 723 137.2 574 103.1 -20.6

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 1,493 342.4 1,684 347.2 1,912 362.8 1,746 313.5 -8.7

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998

ATLANTA, GA

BALTIMORE, MD

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 71 
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 75 100.0 88 100.0 92 100.0 79 100.0 -14.1

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 65.3 60 68.2 64 69.6 52 65.8 -18.8

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 34.7 28 31.8 28 30.4 27 34.2 -3.6

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 48 64.0 54 61.4 60 65.2 54 68.4 -10.0

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 36.0 34 38.6 32 34.8 25 31.6 -21.9

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.3 1 1.1 2 2.2 2 2.5 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 12.0 14 15.9 6 6.5 6 7.6 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 12 16.0 21 23.9 20 21.7 14 17.7 -30.0

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 53 70.7 52 59.1 64 69.6 57 72.2 -10.9

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 25 33.3 34 38.6 33 35.9 29 36.7 -12.1

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 8 10.7 7 8.0 9 9.8 6 7.6 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 45 60.0 47 53.4 47 51.1 39 49.4 -17.0

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 4.0 2 2.3 3 3.3 7 8.9 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 12.0 3 3.4 9 9.8 9 11.4 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 14.7 22 25.0 18 19.6 9 11.4 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 10 13.3 10 11.4 6 6.5 7 8.9 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 3 4.0 5 5.7 1 1.1 7 8.9 ...

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - 3 3.4 2 2.2 - - ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 9.3 7 8.0 11 12.0 13 16.5 18.2

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 72 96.0 79 89.8 95 103.3 102 129.1 7.4

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 193 257.3 219 248.9 234 254.3 228 288.6 -2.6

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 264 100.0 303 100.0 368 100.0 345 100.0 -6.3

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 196 74.2 218 71.9 255 69.3 235 68.1 -7.8

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 68 25.8 85 28.1 113 30.7 110 31.9 -2.7

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 226 85.6 263 86.8 320 87.0 295 85.5 -7.8

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 6.4 22 7.3 24 6.5 21 6.1 -12.5

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 8.0 18 5.9 24 6.5 1 0.3 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - 28 8.1 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 0.8 2 0.7 1 0.3 2 0.6 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 18 6.8 23 7.6 27 7.3 36 10.4 33.3

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 77 29.2 60 19.8 87 23.6 80 23.2 -8.0

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 166 62.9 218 71.9 253 68.8 227 65.8 -10.3

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.4 - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 108 40.9 99 32.7 143 38.9 116 33.6 -18.9

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 13 4.9 15 5.0 19 5.2 8 2.3 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 134 50.8 107 35.3 145 39.4 117 33.9 -19.3

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 111 42.0 65 21.5 32 8.7 25 7.2 -21.9

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 15 5.7 10 3.3 15 4.1 6 1.7 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 6.1 14 4.6 15 4.1 - - ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 3.0 11 3.6 10 2.7 - - ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 141 53.4 176 58.1 202 54.9 194 56.2 -4.0

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - 1 0.3 1 0.3 - - ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 3.8 7 2.3 10 2.7 - - ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 2 0.8 2 0.7 - - 10 2.9 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 155 58.7 178 58.7 262 71.2 139 40.3 -46.9

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 713 270.1 685 226.1 854 232.1 615 178.3 -28.0

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Percent Number Percent Number

BIRMINGHAM, AL

BOSTON, MA

 72 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 117 100.0 136 100.0 91 100.0 106 100.0 16.5

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 81 69.2 99 72.8 65 71.4 74 69.8 13.8

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 36 30.8 36 26.5 21 23.1 30 28.3 42.9

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 1 0.7 5 5.5 2 1.9 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 81 69.2 97 71.3 64 70.3 76 71.7 18.8

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 32 27.4 31 22.8 19 20.9 25 23.6 31.6

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 2.6 5 3.7 5 5.5 3 2.8 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 0.9 3 2.2 - - 1 0.9 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 3 3.3 1 0.9 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.6 3 2.2 2 2.2 1 0.9 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 11 9.4 6 4.4 9 9.9 16 15.1 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 19.7 19 14.0 12 13.2 11 10.4 -8.3

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 80 68.4 107 78.7 67 73.6 78 73.6 16.4

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 1 0.7 1 1.1 - - ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 31 26.5 41 30.1 35 38.5 33 31.1 -5.7

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 9 7.7 13 9.6 10 11.0 7 6.6 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 39 33.3 31 22.8 30 33.0 38 35.8 26.7

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 11.1 28 20.6 12 13.2 7 6.6 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 14.5 11 8.1 12 13.2 12 11.3 0.0

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 14.5 15 11.0 8 8.8 14 13.2 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 16 13.7 24 17.6 14 15.4 6 5.7 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 37 31.6 43 31.6 24 26.4 37 34.9 54.2

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 8 6.8 13 9.6 17 18.7 12 11.3 -29.4

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 4.3 7 5.1 6 6.6 4 3.8 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - 1 1.1 1 0.9 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 103 88.0 162 119.1 80 87.9 96 90.6 20.0

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 295 252.1 388 285.3 249 273.6 267 251.9 7.2

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 1 100.0 6 100.0 4 100.0 13 100.0 ...

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 2 33.3 3 75.0 7 53.8 ...

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 4 66.7 - - 6 46.2 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 1 25.0 - - ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 6 100.0 3 75.0 11 84.6 ...

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - 2 15.4 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 1 25.0 - - ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - 1 7.7 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - 1 25.0 2 15.4 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - 2 50.0 2 15.4 ...

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... - - 6 100.0 1 25.0 8 61.5 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... - - 1 16.7 3 75.0 5 38.5 ...

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. - - 2 33.3 - - - - -

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - 1 16.7 - - 1 7.7 ...

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - 1 25.0 - - ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. - - 1 16.7 - - 1 7.7 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 1 16.7 - - - - -

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... - - 1 16.7 - - 1 7.7 ...

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - - - 2 50.0 8 61.5 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 1 16.7 - - 1 7.7 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - 2 33.3 - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ - - 7 116.7 3 75.0 8 61.5 ...

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 1 100.0 17 283.3 9 225.0 25 192.3 ...

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998

BUFFALO, NY

CASPER, WY

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 73 
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 551 100.0 711 100.0 803 100.0 879 100.0 9.5

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 412 74.8 550 77.4 612 76.2 673 76.6 10.0

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 138 25.0 155 21.8 190 23.7 203 23.1 6.8

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.2 6 0.8 1 0.1 3 0.3 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 251 45.6 349 49.1 382 47.6 384 43.7 0.5

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 266 48.3 353 49.6 339 42.2 397 45.2 17.1

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 30 5.4 5 0.7 78 9.7 90 10.2 15.4

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 0.5 2 0.3 4 0.5 4 0.5 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.2 2 0.3 - - 4 0.5 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 0.9 11 1.5 12 1.5 7 0.8 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 34 6.2 68 9.6 85 10.6 77 8.8 -9.4

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 140 25.4 163 22.9 181 22.5 185 21.0 2.2

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 371 67.3 466 65.5 522 65.0 609 69.3 16.7

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.2 3 0.4 3 0.4 1 0.1 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 238 43.2 313 44.0 373 46.5 365 41.5 -2.1

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 15 2.7 18 2.5 10 1.2 9 1.0 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 321 58.3 390 54.9 468 58.3 511 58.1 9.2

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 80 14.5 80 11.3 99 12.3 103 11.7 4.0

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 1.6 17 2.4 12 1.5 14 1.6 16.7

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 1.6 20 2.8 17 2.1 11 1.3 -35.3

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 16 2.9 25 3.5 12 1.5 31 3.5 158.3

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 224 40.7 359 50.5 404 50.3 457 52.0 13.1

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 11 2.0 16 2.3 26 3.2 17 1.9 -34.6

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17 3.1 28 3.9 22 2.7 26 3.0 18.2

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 1 0.2 2 0.3 - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 3 0.5 6 0.8 3 0.4 4 0.5 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 172 31.2 149 21.0 143 17.8 199 22.6 39.2

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 1,116 202.5 1,423 200.1 1,589 197.9 1,747 198.7 9.9

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 107 100.0 113 100.0 108 100.0 117 100.0 8.3

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 78 72.9 85 75.2 71 65.7 78 66.7 9.9

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29 27.1 26 23.0 37 34.3 38 32.5 2.7

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 2 1.8 - - 1 0.9 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 62 57.9 68 60.2 58 53.7 57 48.7 -1.7

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 45 42.1 42 37.2 48 44.4 58 49.6 20.8

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - 2 1.9 1 0.9 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 3 2.7 - - 1 0.9 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 0.9 - - - - - - -

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.8 3 2.7 8 7.4 8 6.8 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 14 13.1 17 15.0 14 13.0 17 14.5 21.4

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 89 83.2 93 82.3 86 79.6 92 78.6 7.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 36 33.6 46 40.7 38 35.2 31 26.5 -18.4

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 3 2.8 6 5.3 7 6.5 4 3.4 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 49 45.8 36 31.9 46 42.6 53 45.3 15.2

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 5.6 3 2.7 8 7.4 4 3.4 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 15.9 10 8.8 3 2.8 2 1.7 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 13.1 12 10.6 11 10.2 15 12.8 36.4

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 0.9 1 0.9 3 2.8 - - ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 46 43.0 61 54.0 44 40.7 37 31.6 -15.9

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 3 2.8 6 5.3 2 1.9 1 0.9 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.9 4 3.5 1 0.9 2 1.7 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - 1 0.9 1 0.9 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 1 0.9 - - - - 2 1.7 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 62 57.9 73 64.6 67 62.0 66 56.4 -1.5

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 240 224.3 258 228.3 231 213.9 218 186.3 -5.6

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998

CHICAGO, IL

CLEVELAND, OH

 74 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 371 100.0 386 100.0 359 100.0 325 100.0 -9.5

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 295 79.5 287 74.4 268 74.7 245 75.4 -8.6

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 75 20.2 97 25.1 91 25.3 77 23.7 -15.4

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.3 2 0.5 - - 3 0.9 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 235 63.3 243 63.0 233 64.9 182 56.0 -21.9

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 84 22.6 98 25.4 92 25.6 92 28.3 0.0

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 43 11.6 42 10.9 31 8.6 44 13.5 41.9

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 2 0.5 3 0.8 1 0.3 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.3 1 0.3 - - 6 1.8 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 14 3.8 8 2.1 10 2.8 2 0.6 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 54 14.6 54 14.0 56 15.6 51 15.7 -8.9

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 87 23.5 85 22.0 72 20.1 72 22.2 0.0

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 215 58.0 238 61.7 221 61.6 197 60.6 -10.9

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.3 1 0.3 - - 3 0.9 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 192 51.8 189 49.0 143 39.8 127 39.1 -11.2

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 19 5.1 22 5.7 16 4.5 13 4.0 -18.8

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 134 36.1 142 36.8 139 38.7 155 47.7 11.5

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 1.9 14 3.6 11 3.1 10 3.1 -9.1

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 1.9 20 5.2 10 2.8 13 4.0 30.0

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 57 15.4 56 14.5 35 9.7 40 12.3 14.3

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 73 19.7 89 23.1 69 19.2 50 15.4 -27.5

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 66 17.8 74 19.2 70 19.5 80 24.6 14.3

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 125 33.7 112 29.0 92 25.6 99 30.5 7.6

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.6 6 1.6 8 2.2 2 0.6 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 14 3.8 18 4.7 7 1.9 9 2.8 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 2 0.5 - - - - 3 0.9 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 236 63.6 298 77.2 276 76.9 253 77.8 -8.3

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 938 252.8 1,040 269.4 876 244.0 854 262.8 -2.5

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 185 100.0 191 100.0 186 100.0 256 100.0 37.6

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 126 68.1 139 72.8 125 67.2 179 69.9 43.2

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 55 29.7 48 25.1 58 31.2 70 27.3 20.7

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 4 2.2 4 2.1 3 1.6 7 2.7 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 127 68.6 137 71.7 130 69.9 178 69.5 36.9

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 6.5 13 6.8 20 10.8 30 11.7 50.0

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 41 22.2 41 21.5 30 16.1 39 15.2 30.0

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 - - 4 2.2 2 0.8 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.5 - - 2 1.1 7 2.7 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 1.1 2 1.0 - - 3 1.2 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 16 8.6 26 13.6 18 9.7 26 10.2 44.4

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 37 20.0 37 19.4 36 19.4 49 19.1 36.1

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 130 70.3 124 64.9 132 71.0 178 69.5 34.8

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 2 1.0 - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 51 27.6 56 29.3 68 36.6 78 30.5 14.7

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 10 5.4 12 6.3 8 4.3 9 3.5 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 70 37.8 65 34.0 68 36.6 85 33.2 25.0

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 5.4 13 6.8 8 4.3 13 5.1 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 8 4.3 5 2.6 10 5.4 13 5.1 30.0

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 4.3 4 2.1 3 1.6 18 7.0 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.6 5 2.6 8 4.3 6 2.3 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 46 24.9 66 34.6 60 32.3 102 39.8 70.0

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 1 0.5 4 2.1 3 1.6 20 7.8 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 3.8 9 4.7 5 2.7 15 5.9 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 3 1.6 8 4.2 3 1.6 9 3.5 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - 1 0.4 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 84 45.4 81 42.4 92 49.5 112 43.8 21.7

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 301 162.7 328 171.7 336 180.6 481 187.9 43.2

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Percent Number Percent Number

DALLAS, TX

DENVER, CO

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 75 
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 494 100.0 587 100.0 635 100.0 695 100.0 9.4

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 334 67.6 413 70.4 424 66.8 482 69.4 13.7

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 154 31.2 174 29.6 210 33.1 211 30.4 0.5

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 6 1.2 - - 1 0.2 2 0.3 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 276 55.9 344 58.6 365 57.5 402 57.8 10.1

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 203 41.1 237 40.4 259 40.8 278 40.0 7.3

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 0.4 2 0.3 7 1.1 5 0.7 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 0.4 2 0.3 3 0.5 7 1.0 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 11 2.2 2 0.3 1 0.2 3 0.4 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 1.0 6 1.0 6 0.9 7 1.0 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 32 6.5 36 6.1 39 6.1 47 6.8 20.5

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 91 18.4 102 17.4 107 16.9 91 13.1 -15.0

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 362 73.3 442 75.3 482 75.9 550 79.1 14.1

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 4 0.8 1 0.2 1 0.2 - - ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 173 35.0 171 29.1 193 30.4 214 30.8 10.9

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 25 5.1 33 5.6 28 4.4 34 4.9 21.4

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 240 48.6 231 39.4 269 42.4 275 39.6 2.2

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 71 14.4 91 15.5 102 16.1 135 19.4 32.4

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 46 9.3 44 7.5 54 8.5 49 7.1 -9.3

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 68 13.8 80 13.6 83 13.1 97 14.0 16.9

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 30 6.1 43 7.3 50 7.9 48 6.9 -4.0

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 157 31.8 222 37.8 230 36.2 235 33.8 2.2

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 61 12.3 90 15.3 50 7.9 93 13.4 86.0

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 6.9 32 5.5 29 4.6 47 6.8 62.1

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - 2 0.3 - - ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 321 65.0 498 84.8 584 92.0 638 91.8 9.2

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 1,226 248.2 1,535 261.5 1,674 263.6 1,865 268.3 11.4

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 2 100.0 5 100.0 2 100.0 2 100.0 ...

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 3 60.0 - - - - -

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 2 40.0 - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 3 60.0 - - - - -

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - 1 20.0 - - - - -

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 1 20.0 - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. - - 2 40.0 - - - - -

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... - - 3 60.0 - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... - - 1 20.0 - - - - -

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - 1 20.0 - - - - -

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 1 20.0 - - - - -

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ - - 3 60.0 - - - - -

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 2 100.0 6 120.0 4 200.0 5 250.0 ...

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998

DETROIT, MI

FARGO, ND/MN

 76 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 20 100.0 15 100.0 11 100.0 3 100.0 ...

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 70.0 11 73.3 8 72.7 - - ...

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 30.0 4 26.7 3 27.3 - - ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 65.0 12 80.0 9 81.8 - - ...

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 35.0 3 20.0 2 18.2 - - ...

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 3 15.0 2 13.3 1 9.1 - - ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 20.0 4 26.7 1 9.1 - - ...

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 13 65.0 9 60.0 9 81.8 - - ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 9 45.0 6 40.0 5 45.5 - - ...

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 3 15.0 2 13.3 3 27.3 - - ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 30.0 4 26.7 3 27.3 - - ...

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 10.0 1 6.7 - - - - -

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 10.0 - - 4 36.4 - - ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 1 6.7 3 27.3 - - ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 5.0 - - - - - - -

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 4 20.0 5 33.3 1 9.1 - - ...

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 4 20.0 1 6.7 2 18.2 - - ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 5.0 - - 2 18.2 - - ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 16 80.0 11 73.3 9 81.8 - - ...

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 48 240.0 31 206.7 32 290.9 6 200.0 ...

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ - - 2 100.0 1 100.0 4 100.0 ...

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 2 50.0 ...

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 2 50.0 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 4 100.0 ...

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - 2 50.0 ...

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - 3 75.0 ...

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. - - 5 250.0 4 400.0 9 225.0 ...

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Percent Number Percent Number

INDIANAPOLIS, IN

JACKSON, MS

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 77 
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 141 100.0 140 100.0 236 100.0 244 100.0 3.4

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 104 73.8 102 72.9 164 69.5 170 69.7 3.7

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 34 24.1 37 26.4 72 30.5 72 29.5 0.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 3 2.1 1 0.7 - - 2 0.8 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 100 70.9 92 65.7 179 75.8 174 71.3 -2.8

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 24.8 42 30.0 51 21.6 58 23.8 13.7

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 3.5 6 4.3 3 1.3 10 4.1 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - 1 0.4 1 0.4 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.7 - - 2 0.8 1 0.4 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 1.4 4 2.9 6 2.5 8 3.3 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 16.3 25 17.9 24 10.2 26 10.7 8.3

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 21 14.9 23 16.4 31 13.1 47 19.3 51.6

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 95 67.4 88 62.9 175 74.2 163 66.8 -6.9

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 45 31.9 34 24.3 65 27.5 67 27.5 3.1

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 6 4.3 10 7.1 10 4.2 10 4.1 0.0

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 40 28.4 36 25.7 55 23.3 63 25.8 14.5

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 7 5.0 8 5.7 14 5.9 12 4.9 -14.3

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 3.5 6 4.3 9 3.8 7 2.9 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 9.2 14 10.0 34 14.4 35 14.3 2.9

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 4.3 10 7.1 9 3.8 8 3.3 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 19 13.5 10 7.1 23 9.7 21 8.6 -8.7

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 31 22.0 37 26.4 51 21.6 55 22.5 7.8

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 0.7 5 3.6 7 3.0 6 2.5 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 12 8.5 28 20.0 16 6.8 13 5.3 -18.8

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 1 0.7 2 1.4 - - 5 2.0 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 104 73.8 120 85.7 203 86.0 267 109.4 31.5

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 290 205.7 320 228.6 496 210.2 569 233.2 14.7

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 148 100.0 188 100.0 232 100.0 252 100.0 8.6

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 116 78.4 141 75.0 164 70.7 168 66.7 2.4

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 32 21.6 46 24.5 68 29.3 82 32.5 20.6

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 1 0.5 - - 2 0.8 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 122 82.4 139 73.9 178 76.7 206 81.7 15.7

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 9.5 24 12.8 31 13.4 22 8.7 -29.0

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 7.4 23 12.2 21 9.1 20 7.9 -4.8

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 1 0.5 1 0.4 3 1.2 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.7 1 0.5 1 0.4 1 0.4 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 0.7 3 1.6 3 1.3 3 1.2 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 11.5 15 8.0 16 6.9 17 6.7 6.3

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 32 21.6 46 24.5 32 13.8 42 16.7 31.3

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 85 57.4 114 60.6 165 71.1 177 70.2 7.3

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 13 8.8 10 5.3 16 6.9 13 5.2 -18.8

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 52 35.1 73 38.8 77 33.2 80 31.7 3.9

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 5 3.4 8 4.3 13 5.6 19 7.5 46.2

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 68 45.9 87 46.3 89 38.4 76 30.2 -14.6

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 20 13.5 30 16.0 44 19.0 37 14.7 -15.9

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 3.4 13 6.9 17 7.3 11 4.4 -35.3

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 10.8 28 14.9 31 13.4 40 15.9 29.0

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ - - - - 4 1.7 5 2.0 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 55 37.2 71 37.8 90 38.8 97 38.5 7.8

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 3 1.6 1 0.4 2 0.8 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 4.7 11 5.9 20 8.6 21 8.3 5.0

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 50 33.8 53 28.2 49 21.1 45 17.9 -8.2

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 1 0.7 4 2.1 2 0.9 3 1.2 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 76 51.4 127 67.6 207 89.2 247 98.0 19.3

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 357 241.2 508 270.2 644 277.6 683 271.0 6.1

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Percent Number Percent Number

KANSAS CITY, MO/KS

LAS VEGAS, NV

 78 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 1,167 100.0 996 100.0 1,136 100.0 1,896 100.0 66.9

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 863 74.0 745 74.8 822 72.4 1,334 70.4 62.3

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 304 26.0 250 25.1 314 27.6 562 29.6 79.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 1 0.1 - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 569 48.8 515 51.7 576 50.7 972 51.3 68.8

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 248 21.3 210 21.1 230 20.2 377 19.9 63.9

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 328 28.1 245 24.6 296 26.1 477 25.2 61.1

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 1.9 24 2.4 32 2.8 56 3.0 75.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 2 0.2 2 0.2 14 0.7 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 0.9 9 0.9 9 0.8 24 1.3 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 69 5.9 73 7.3 62 5.5 113 6.0 82.3

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 262 22.5 202 20.3 186 16.4 267 14.1 43.5

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 825 70.7 712 71.5 879 77.4 1,492 78.7 69.7

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 428 36.7 320 32.1 404 35.6 504 26.6 24.8

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 54 4.6 53 5.3 2 0.2 62 3.3 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 546 46.8 450 45.2 425 37.4 544 28.7 28.0

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 242 20.7 174 17.5 130 11.4 259 13.7 99.2

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 25 2.1 33 3.3 44 3.9 57 3.0 29.5

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 90 7.7 57 5.7 74 6.5 69 3.6 -6.8

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 41 3.5 56 5.6 72 6.3 130 6.9 80.6

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 554 47.5 425 42.7 444 39.1 644 34.0 45.0

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 9 0.8 12 1.2 17 1.5 24 1.3 41.2

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 2.6 26 2.6 51 4.5 81 4.3 58.8

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 146 12.5 172 17.3 111 9.8 147 7.8 32.4

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 38 3.3 20 2.0 12 1.1 25 1.3 108.3

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 793 68.0 811 81.4 1,070 94.2 2,091 110.3 95.4

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 2,996 256.7 2,609 261.9 2,856 251.4 4,637 244.6 62.4

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 82 100.0 77 100.0 81 100.0 62 100.0 -23.5

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 55 67.1 59 76.6 60 74.1 41 66.1 -31.7

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 32.9 18 23.4 20 24.7 21 33.9 5.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 1 1.2 - - ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 65 79.3 60 77.9 63 77.8 51 82.3 -19.0

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 19.5 16 20.8 17 21.0 11 17.7 -35.3

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 1 1.3 - - - - -

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 1 1.2 - - ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 4.9 3 3.9 2 2.5 1 1.6 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 7.3 13 16.9 9 11.1 6 9.7 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 18 22.0 14 18.2 11 13.6 14 22.6 27.3

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 53 64.6 46 59.7 59 72.8 41 66.1 -30.5

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 1.2 1 1.3 - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 24 29.3 31 40.3 32 39.5 24 38.7 -25.0

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 9 11.0 7 9.1 5 6.2 3 4.8 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 20 24.4 32 41.6 30 37.0 19 30.6 -36.7

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 4.9 2 2.6 5 6.2 3 4.8 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 11.0 6 7.8 7 8.6 12 19.4 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 18.3 10 13.0 16 19.8 19 30.6 18.8

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 9.8 6 7.8 5 6.2 8 12.9 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 19 23.2 8 10.4 16 19.8 12 19.4 -25.0

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 19 23.2 29 37.7 29 35.8 16 25.8 -44.8

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 9.8 1 1.3 3 3.7 5 8.1 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - 3 3.9 - - 2 3.2 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - 1 1.2 - - ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 109 132.9 78 101.3 114 140.7 118 190.3 3.5

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 244 297.6 213 276.6 263 324.7 241 388.7 -8.4

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998

LOS ANGELES, CA

LOUISVILLE, KY

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 79 
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 148 100.0 177 100.0 185 100.0 167 100.0 -9.7

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 118 79.7 138 78.0 147 79.5 122 73.1 -17.0

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 20.3 39 22.0 38 20.5 44 26.3 15.8

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - 1 0.6 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 66 44.6 100 56.5 83 44.9 91 54.5 9.6

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 52 35.1 47 26.6 59 31.9 42 25.1 -28.8

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 30 20.3 28 15.8 40 21.6 34 20.4 -15.0

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 2 1.1 1 0.5 - - ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 2 1.1 - - ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - 2 1.1 3 1.8 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 8.8 17 9.6 17 9.2 9 5.4 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 32 21.6 42 23.7 38 20.5 29 17.4 -23.7

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 103 69.6 117 66.1 126 68.1 126 75.4 0.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 1 0.6 2 1.1 - - ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 25 16.9 32 18.1 84 45.4 64 38.3 -23.8

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.7 5 2.8 3 1.6 5 3.0 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 129 87.2 151 85.3 152 82.2 130 77.8 -14.5

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 14 9.5 15 8.5 33 17.8 23 13.8 -30.3

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 4.7 5 2.8 4 2.2 7 4.2 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 8.8 12 6.8 12 6.5 6 3.6 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 7.4 9 5.1 11 5.9 13 7.8 18.2

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 30 20.3 38 21.5 50 27.0 40 24.0 -20.0

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 1 0.7 4 2.3 2 1.1 3 1.8 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 1 0.6 2 1.1 - - ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - 1 0.6 - - 2 1.2 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 131 88.5 159 89.8 167 90.3 189 113.2 13.2

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 367 248.0 432 244.1 520 281.1 482 288.6 -7.3

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 7 100.0 7 100.0 10 100.0 9 100.0 ...

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 100.0 7 100.0 6 60.0 8 88.9 ...

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - 4 40.0 1 11.1 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 100.0 7 100.0 10 100.0 8 88.9 ...

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - 1 11.1 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 14.3 - - - - - - -

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 14.3 1 14.3 3 30.0 3 33.3 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 14.3 1 14.3 - - 2 22.2 ...

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 4 57.1 5 71.4 7 70.0 4 44.4 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 3 42.9 4 57.1 4 40.0 6 66.7 ...

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 2 28.6 1 14.3 1 10.0 1 11.1 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 57.1 1 14.3 4 40.0 3 33.3 ...

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 14.3 1 14.3 - - - - -

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - 2 20.0 - - ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 2 28.6 2 20.0 - - ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ - - 1 14.3 - - - - -

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 1 14.3 1 14.3 2 20.0 1 11.1 ...

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 3 42.9 2 28.6 2 20.0 4 44.4 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - 2 20.0 - - ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 71.4 5 71.4 12 120.0 6 66.7 ...

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 19 271.4 18 257.1 31 310.0 21 233.3 -32.3

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998

MIAMI, FL

MILWAUKEE, WI

 80 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 59 100.0 112 100.0 117 100.0 97 100.0 -17.1

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 67.8 91 81.3 77 65.8 72 74.2 -6.5

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 32.2 21 18.8 39 33.3 24 24.7 -38.5

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 1 0.9 1 1.0 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 50 84.7 88 78.6 99 84.6 75 77.3 -24.2

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 13.6 19 17.0 13 11.1 17 17.5 30.8

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.7 3 2.7 1 0.9 3 3.1 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 2 1.8 4 3.4 2 2.1 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. - - 1 0.9 1 0.9 - - ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 8.5 11 9.8 11 9.4 12 12.4 9.1

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 18 30.5 20 17.9 21 17.9 15 15.5 -28.6

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 36 61.0 80 71.4 84 71.8 69 71.1 -17.9

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - 1 1.0 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 19 32.2 44 39.3 54 46.2 36 37.1 -33.3

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 5 8.5 3 2.7 11 9.4 11 11.3 0.0

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 16.9 37 33.0 18 15.4 33 34.0 83.3

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 3.4 10 8.9 11 9.4 13 13.4 18.2

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. - - 6 5.4 7 6.0 4 4.1 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.7 4 3.6 6 5.1 3 3.1 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 2 3.4 6 5.4 5 4.3 4 4.1 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 8 13.6 28 25.0 34 29.1 33 34.0 -2.9

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 18 30.5 25 22.3 25 21.4 14 14.4 -44.0

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 6.8 11 9.8 8 6.8 7 7.2 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 4 6.8 5 4.5 6 5.1 5 5.2 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 49 83.1 80 71.4 78 66.7 69 71.1 -11.5

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 122 206.8 259 231.3 263 224.8 232 239.2 -11.8

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 15 100.0 20 100.0 19 100.0 31 100.0 63.2

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 73.3 12 60.0 11 57.9 15 48.4 36.4

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 26.7 5 25.0 7 36.8 14 45.2 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 3 15.0 1 5.3 2 6.5 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 73.3 16 80.0 18 94.7 25 80.6 38.9

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - 3 9.7 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 4 26.7 4 20.0 1 5.3 3 9.7 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 13.3 2 10.0 3 15.8 3 9.7 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 13.3 5 25.0 2 10.5 7 22.6 ...

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 11 73.3 11 55.0 14 73.7 21 67.7 50.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 2 10.0 - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 5 33.3 6 30.0 7 36.8 7 22.6 ...

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 1 6.7 1 5.0 1 5.3 3 9.7 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 20.0 7 35.0 3 15.8 6 19.4 ...

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 6.7 1 5.0 - - 2 6.5 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 1 6.7 1 5.0 1 5.3 2 6.5 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 20.0 5 25.0 3 15.8 2 6.5 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 6.7 - - - - 1 3.2 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 4 26.7 9 45.0 7 36.8 7 22.6 ...

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 2 13.3 3 15.0 1 5.3 4 12.9 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 20.0 1 5.0 3 15.8 - - ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 73.3 19 95.0 21 110.5 39 125.8 85.7

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 35 233.3 53 265.0 47 247.4 73 235.5 55.3

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Percent Number Percent Number

MINNEAPOLIS, MN/WI

NASHUA, NH

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 81 
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 158 100.0 174 100.0 191 100.0 222 100.0 16.2

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 114 72.2 126 72.4 146 76.4 168 75.7 15.1

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38 24.1 46 26.4 44 23.0 54 24.3 22.7

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 6 3.8 2 1.1 1 0.5 - - ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 100 63.3 128 73.6 112 58.6 149 67.1 33.0

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 57 36.1 40 23.0 73 38.2 68 30.6 -6.8

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - 1 0.6 2 1.0 3 1.4 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 2 1.1 4 2.1 1 0.5 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.6 3 1.7 - - 1 0.5 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.9 3 1.7 3 1.6 4 1.8 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 14.6 21 12.1 34 17.8 32 14.4 -5.9

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 33 20.9 36 20.7 43 22.5 47 21.2 9.3

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 97 61.4 112 64.4 111 58.1 137 61.7 23.4

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 2 1.3 2 1.1 - - 2 0.9 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 53 33.5 57 32.8 69 36.1 89 40.1 29.0

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 5 3.2 3 1.7 2 1.0 7 3.2 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 63 39.9 70 40.2 78 40.8 85 38.3 9.0

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.9 5 2.9 11 5.8 20 9.0 81.8

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 5.7 13 7.5 13 6.8 18 8.1 38.5

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 0.6 2 1.1 1 0.5 5 2.3 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 3.8 4 2.3 6 3.1 14 6.3 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 38 24.1 45 25.9 62 32.5 83 37.4 33.9

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 26 16.5 28 16.1 51 26.7 59 26.6 15.7

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 4.4 7 4.0 12 6.3 31 14.0 158.3

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 1 0.6 1 0.6 - - 2 0.9 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 138 87.3 191 109.8 146 76.4 200 90.1 37.0

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 350 221.5 426 244.8 451 236.1 613 276.1 35.9

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 1,288 100.0 1,081 100.0 935 100.0 944 100.0 1.0

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 992 77.0 852 78.8 736 78.7 729 77.2 -1.0

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 288 22.4 222 20.5 189 20.2 199 21.1 5.3

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 8 0.6 7 0.6 10 1.1 16 1.7 60.0

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 549 42.6 488 45.1 430 46.0 450 47.7 4.7

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 424 32.9 340 31.5 270 28.9 274 29.0 1.5

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 293 22.7 241 22.3 217 23.2 202 21.4 -6.9

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 1.0 6 0.6 10 1.1 3 0.3 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 9 0.7 6 0.6 8 0.9 15 1.6 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 13 1.0 2 0.2 3 0.3 5 0.5 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 94 7.3 92 8.5 72 7.7 59 6.3 -18.1

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 270 21.0 250 23.1 192 20.5 178 18.9 -7.3

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 908 70.5 736 68.1 668 71.4 701 74.3 4.9

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 3 0.2 1 0.1 - - 1 0.1 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 479 37.2 437 40.4 349 37.3 348 36.9 -0.3

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 54 4.2 27 2.5 19 2.0 35 3.7 84.2

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 749 58.2 557 51.5 515 55.1 488 51.7 -5.2

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 2.0 25 2.3 12 1.3 23 2.4 91.7

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 11 0.9 7 0.6 9 1.0 7 0.7 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53 4.1 40 3.7 30 3.2 38 4.0 26.7

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 23 1.8 22 2.0 18 1.9 22 2.3 22.2

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 560 43.5 519 48.0 448 47.9 434 46.0 -3.1

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 177 13.7 106 9.8 53 5.7 62 6.6 17.0

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 206 16.0 143 13.2 111 11.9 118 12.5 6.3

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - 5 0.5 2 0.2 44 4.7 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 5 0.4 1 0.1 2 0.2 11 1.2 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 470 36.5 280 25.9 291 31.1 342 36.2 17.5

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 2,813 218.4 2,169 200.6 1,859 198.8 1,972 208.9 6.1

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Percent Number Percent Number

NEW ORLEANS, LA

NEW YORK, NY

 82 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 219 100.0 165 100.0 205 100.0 251 100.0 22.4

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 165 75.3 125 75.8 156 76.1 190 75.7 21.8

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53 24.2 39 23.6 49 23.9 61 24.3 24.5

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.5 1 0.6 - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 88 40.2 49 29.7 94 45.9 104 41.4 10.6

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 113 51.6 102 61.8 94 45.9 111 44.2 18.1

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 16 7.3 13 7.9 17 8.3 35 13.9 105.9

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 0.5 - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.5 1 0.6 - - 1 0.4 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 6 2.7 3 1.8 2 1.0 1 0.4 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 22 10.0 16 9.7 25 12.2 28 11.2 12.0

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 58 26.5 36 21.8 54 26.3 51 20.3 -5.6

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 132 60.3 109 66.1 123 60.0 167 66.5 35.8

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.5 1 0.6 1 0.5 4 1.6 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 85 38.8 58 35.2 66 32.2 103 41.0 56.1

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 6 2.7 11 6.7 13 6.3 11 4.4 -15.4

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 144 65.8 114 69.1 123 60.0 138 55.0 12.2

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 1.8 3 1.8 29 14.1 17 6.8 -41.4

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 8 3.7 3 1.8 2 1.0 3 1.2 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 5.0 8 4.8 12 5.9 18 7.2 50.0

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 0.5 - - 3 1.5 2 0.8 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 119 54.3 105 63.6 109 53.2 147 58.6 34.9

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 19 8.7 23 13.9 21 10.2 26 10.4 23.8

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 5.0 7 4.2 13 6.3 21 8.4 61.5

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - 1 0.4 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 56 25.6 33 20.0 92 44.9 96 38.2 4.3

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 464 211.9 365 221.2 483 235.6 583 232.3 20.7

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 64 100.0 70 100.0 45 100.0 46 100.0 2.2

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 47 73.4 48 68.6 33 73.3 31 67.4 -6.1

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16 25.0 19 27.1 11 24.4 15 32.6 36.4

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 1.6 3 4.3 1 2.2 - - ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 38 59.4 46 65.7 32 71.1 34 73.9 6.3

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 37.5 24 34.3 13 28.9 9 19.6 ...

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.6 - - - - - - -

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 1.6 - - - - 3 6.5 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 3.1 1 1.4 1 2.2 - - ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 9.4 7 10.0 3 6.7 4 8.7 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 11 17.2 21 30.0 8 17.8 9 19.6 ...

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 44 68.8 41 58.6 33 73.3 33 71.7 0.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 1.6 - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 31 48.4 38 54.3 19 42.2 15 32.6 -21.1

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.6 5 7.1 3 6.7 4 8.7 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 27 42.2 27 38.6 17 37.8 13 28.3 -23.5

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 3.1 6 8.6 12 26.7 4 8.7 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 3.1 6 8.6 2 4.4 2 4.3 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 10.9 4 5.7 4 8.9 4 8.7 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 7.8 5 7.1 2 4.4 3 6.5 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 30 46.9 28 40.0 24 53.3 23 50.0 -4.2

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 3 4.7 7 10.0 1 2.2 - - ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 3.1 1 1.4 - - 5 10.9 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 22 34.4 35 50.0 25 55.6 22 47.8 -12.0

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 132 206.3 162 231.4 109 242.2 95 206.5 -12.8

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998

NEWARK, NJ

NORFOLK, VA

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 83 
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 168 100.0 170 100.0 212 100.0 226 100.0 6.6

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 120 71.4 120 70.6 142 67.0 132 58.4 -7.0

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 48 28.6 50 29.4 69 32.5 94 41.6 36.2

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 1 0.5 - - ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 132 78.6 127 74.7 148 69.8 186 82.3 25.7

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 7.1 9 5.3 16 7.5 18 8.0 12.5

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 0.6 3 1.8 5 2.4 2 0.9 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 5.4 8 4.7 10 4.7 11 4.9 10.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 14 8.3 23 13.5 33 15.6 9 4.0 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.4 4 2.4 5 2.4 1 0.4 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 18 10.7 21 12.4 22 10.4 12 5.3 -45.5

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 30 17.9 46 27.1 41 19.3 46 20.4 12.2

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 116 69.0 99 58.2 143 67.5 167 73.9 16.8

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 1 0.5 - - ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 52 31.0 39 22.9 55 25.9 62 27.4 12.7

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 10 6.0 11 6.5 16 7.5 18 8.0 12.5

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 37 22.0 45 26.5 56 26.4 52 23.0 -7.1

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 3.6 1 0.6 4 1.9 6 2.7 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 9 5.4 12 7.1 15 7.1 27 11.9 80.0

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 16.7 10 5.9 16 7.5 19 8.4 18.8

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 2 1.2 4 2.4 2 0.9 3 1.3 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 37 22.0 16 9.4 26 12.3 25 11.1 -3.8

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 1 0.6 - - - - - - -

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 8.3 9 5.3 14 6.6 22 9.7 57.1

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 39 23.2 61 35.9 56 26.4 53 23.5 -5.4

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - 1 0.5 - - ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 157 93.5 126 74.1 189 89.2 243 107.5 28.6

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 392 233.3 334 196.5 450 212.3 530 234.5 17.8

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 39 100.0 45 100.0 44 100.0 42 100.0 -4.5

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 28 71.8 35 77.8 22 50.0 29 69.0 31.8

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 28.2 10 22.2 22 50.0 13 31.0 -40.9

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 79.5 32 71.1 36 81.8 31 73.8 -13.9

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 17.9 10 22.2 8 18.2 10 23.8 ...

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - 2 4.4 - - 1 2.4 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 2.6 1 2.2 - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 5.1 3 6.7 1 2.3 2 4.8 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 8 20.5 4 8.9 4 9.1 6 14.3 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 17.9 16 35.6 7 15.9 4 9.5 ...

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 22 56.4 22 48.9 32 72.7 30 71.4 -6.3

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 10 25.6 20 44.4 15 34.1 16 38.1 6.7

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 7 17.9 4 8.9 3 6.8 5 11.9 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 25.6 9 20.0 14 31.8 4 9.5 ...

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 12.8 2 4.4 6 13.6 1 2.4 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 5.1 4 8.9 3 6.8 3 7.1 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 2.6 2 4.4 2 4.5 5 11.9 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 2 5.1 5 11.1 3 6.8 3 7.1 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 2 5.1 3 6.7 4 9.1 2 4.8 ...

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 11 28.2 18 40.0 12 27.3 16 38.1 33.3

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 2 4.4 1 2.3 1 2.4 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 3 7.7 7 15.6 5 11.4 3 7.1 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 51 130.8 36 80.0 73 165.9 52 123.8 -28.8

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 104 266.7 112 248.9 141 320.5 111 264.3 -21.3

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Percent Number Percent Number

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

OMAHA, NE

 84 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 645 100.0 897 100.0 766 100.0 810 100.0 5.7

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 509 78.9 727 81.0 574 74.9 607 74.9 5.7

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 136 21.1 169 18.8 191 24.9 202 24.9 5.8

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 1 0.1 1 0.1 1 0.1 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 411 63.7 586 65.3 519 67.8 529 65.3 1.9

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 198 30.7 236 26.3 189 24.7 231 28.5 22.2

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 30 4.7 65 7.2 52 6.8 43 5.3 -17.3

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 0.3 8 0.9 3 0.4 5 0.6 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 4 0.6 2 0.2 3 0.4 2 0.2 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 1.7 7 0.8 11 1.4 12 1.5 9.1

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 83 12.9 105 11.7 97 12.7 87 10.7 -10.3

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 157 24.3 215 24.0 164 21.4 166 20.5 1.2

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 392 60.8 566 63.1 493 64.4 545 67.3 10.5

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 2 0.3 4 0.4 1 0.1 - - ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 209 32.4 267 29.8 231 30.2 249 30.7 7.8

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 15 2.3 22 2.5 37 4.8 33 4.1 -10.8

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 338 52.4 474 52.8 401 52.3 427 52.7 6.5

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 108 16.7 229 25.5 144 18.8 186 23.0 29.2

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 42 6.5 56 6.2 38 5.0 43 5.3 13.2

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59 9.1 104 11.6 94 12.3 85 10.5 -9.6

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 32 5.0 34 3.8 42 5.5 56 6.9 33.3

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 385 59.7 571 63.7 413 53.9 417 51.5 1.0

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 35 5.4 47 5.2 47 6.1 35 4.3 -25.5

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 37 5.7 39 4.3 35 4.6 40 4.9 14.3

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 16 2.5 18 2.0 7 0.9 6 0.7 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 18 2.8 33 3.7 33 4.3 29 3.6 -12.1

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 386 59.8 690 76.9 712 93.0 752 92.8 5.6

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 1,680 260.5 2,584 288.1 2,234 291.6 2,358 291.1 5.6

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 195 100.0 240 100.0 390 100.0 561 100.0 43.8

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 150 76.9 174 72.5 287 73.6 427 76.1 48.8

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 20.5 63 26.3 100 25.6 134 23.9 34.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 5 2.6 3 1.3 3 0.8 - - ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 153 78.5 181 75.4 326 83.6 477 85.0 46.3

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 3.1 12 5.0 13 3.3 29 5.2 123.1

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 13.3 39 16.3 39 10.0 30 5.3 -23.1

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 4.1 7 2.9 11 2.8 23 4.1 109.1

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 2 1.0 1 0.4 1 0.3 2 0.4 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - 4 1.0 7 1.2 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 11.8 22 9.2 38 9.7 61 10.9 60.5

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 49 25.1 55 22.9 84 21.5 118 21.0 40.5

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 121 62.1 158 65.8 262 67.2 373 66.5 42.4

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 2 1.0 5 2.1 2 0.5 2 0.4 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 77 39.5 73 30.4 159 40.8 259 46.2 62.9

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 14 7.2 23 9.6 23 5.9 30 5.3 30.4

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 70 35.9 98 40.8 174 44.6 236 42.1 35.6

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 6.2 50 20.8 93 23.8 110 19.6 18.3

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 11 5.6 14 5.8 33 8.5 37 6.6 12.1

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 6.7 27 11.3 44 11.3 52 9.3 18.2

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 4.1 29 12.1 36 9.2 46 8.2 27.8

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 116 59.5 108 45.0 177 45.4 183 32.6 3.4

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 3 0.5 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 6.7 16 6.7 29 7.4 44 7.8 51.7

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 18 9.2 34 14.2 60 15.4 94 16.8 56.7

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 1 0.5 - - 1 0.3 1 0.2 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 146 74.9 335 139.6 566 145.1 910 162.2 60.8

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 499 255.9 807 336.3 1,395 357.7 2,005 357.4 43.7

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998

PHILADELPHIA, PA/NJ

PHOENIX, AZ

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 85 
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 170 100.0 154 100.0 176 100.0 191 100.0 8.5

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 128 75.3 123 79.9 138 78.4 148 77.5 7.2

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 39 22.9 27 17.5 38 21.6 42 22.0 10.5

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 3 1.8 4 2.6 - - 1 0.5 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 144 84.7 134 87.0 153 86.9 160 83.8 4.6

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 7.6 10 6.5 7 4.0 10 5.2 ...

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 2.4 5 3.2 6 3.4 8 4.2 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.9 3 1.9 3 1.7 3 1.6 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 4 2.4 2 1.3 7 4.0 10 5.2 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 0.6 - - - - 1 0.5 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 7 4.1 10 6.5 17 9.7 12 6.3 -29.4

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 37 21.8 31 20.1 49 27.8 36 18.8 -26.5

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 124 72.9 113 73.4 110 62.5 142 74.3 29.1

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.6 - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 80 47.1 73 47.4 82 46.6 77 40.3 -6.1

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 7 4.1 8 5.2 5 2.8 7 3.7 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 55 32.4 41 26.6 57 32.4 60 31.4 5.3

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 5.3 1 0.6 1 0.6 2 1.0 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 2 1.2 3 1.9 4 2.3 2 1.0 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - 4 2.6 6 3.4 4 2.1 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ - - 1 0.6 1 0.6 3 1.6 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 115 67.6 116 75.3 127 72.2 142 74.3 11.8

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 1 0.6 - - - - - - -

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.4 5 3.2 9 5.1 11 5.8 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 10 5.9 11 7.1 9 5.1 4 2.1 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 45 26.5 35 22.7 46 26.1 80 41.9 73.9

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 328 192.9 298 193.5 347 197.2 392 205.2 13.0

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 305 100.0 229 100.0 236 100.0 278 100.0 17.8

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 217 71.1 181 79.0 162 68.6 230 82.7 42.0

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 87 28.5 46 20.1 72 30.5 48 17.3 -33.3

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.3 2 0.9 2 0.8 - - ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 218 71.5 149 65.1 159 67.4 193 69.4 21.4

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 81 26.6 77 33.6 75 31.8 83 29.9 10.7

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 2 0.7 3 1.3 2 0.8 2 0.7 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 9 3.0 2 0.9 7 3.0 6 2.2 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 40 13.1 19 8.3 26 11.0 32 11.5 23.1

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 60 19.7 38 16.6 51 21.6 55 19.8 7.8

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 195 63.9 170 74.2 152 64.4 185 66.5 21.7

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.3 - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 83 27.2 71 31.0 71 30.1 78 28.1 9.9

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 19 6.2 12 5.2 10 4.2 10 3.6 0.0

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 88 28.9 81 35.4 88 37.3 83 29.9 -5.7

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 32 10.5 26 11.4 28 11.9 22 7.9 -21.4

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 23 7.5 20 8.7 9 3.8 17 6.1 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 11.5 30 13.1 34 14.4 40 14.4 17.6

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 10 3.3 7 3.1 5 2.1 24 8.6 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 51 16.7 51 22.3 61 25.8 62 22.3 1.6

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 94 30.8 49 21.4 47 19.9 62 22.3 31.9

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.0 3 1.3 2 0.8 10 3.6 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 9 3.0 3 1.3 7 3.0 9 3.2 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 4 1.3 - - 1 0.4 1 0.4 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 210 68.9 148 64.6 169 71.6 199 71.6 17.8

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 661 216.7 501 218.8 532 225.4 617 221.9 16.0

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998

PORTLAND, OR

ST. LOUIS, MO/IL

 86 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 75 100.0 102 100.0 118 100.0 148 100.0 25.4

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 60 80.0 71 69.6 93 78.8 104 70.3 11.8

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 16.0 25 24.5 25 21.2 40 27.0 60.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 3 4.0 6 5.9 - - 4 2.7 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 64 85.3 88 86.3 93 78.8 129 87.2 38.7

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 4.0 2 2.0 4 3.4 5 3.4 ...

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 8.0 10 9.8 18 15.3 10 6.8 -44.4

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 1 1.0 1 0.8 2 1.4 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 1.3 1 1.0 2 1.7 2 1.4 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 2.7 2 2.0 - - - - -

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 15 20.0 6 5.9 8 6.8 10 6.8 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 15 20.0 24 23.5 32 27.1 37 25.0 15.6

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 43 57.3 69 67.6 77 65.3 101 68.2 31.2

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 1 1.0 1 0.8 - - ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 22 29.3 28 27.5 28 23.7 30 20.3 7.1

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 4 5.3 6 5.9 2 1.7 3 2.0 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 37 49.3 44 43.1 77 65.3 76 51.4 -1.3

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 13.3 1 1.0 2 1.7 1 0.7 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 5.3 7 6.9 2 1.7 1 0.7 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 5.3 5 4.9 3 2.5 5 3.4 ...

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 6.7 4 3.9 - - - - -

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 43 57.3 68 66.7 83 70.3 92 62.2 10.8

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 2 2.7 2 2.0 1 0.8 1 0.7 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 4.0 4 3.9 7 5.9 12 8.1 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 7 9.3 11 10.8 22 18.6 24 16.2 9.1

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 25 33.3 36 35.3 35 29.7 58 39.2 65.7

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 166 221.3 216 211.8 262 222.0 303 204.7 15.6

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 153 100.0 120 100.0 97 100.0 241 100.0 148.5

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 113 73.9 89 74.2 72 74.2 175 72.6 143.1

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 26.1 31 25.8 25 25.8 66 27.4 164.0

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 62 40.5 54 45.0 50 51.5 103 42.7 106.0

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 15 9.8 6 5.0 8 8.2 16 6.6 ...

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 75 49.0 60 50.0 38 39.2 120 49.8 215.8

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 0.7 - - 1 1.0 2 0.8 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 6 3.9 10 8.3 3 3.1 9 3.7 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 18 11.8 16 13.3 13 13.4 29 12.0 123.1

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 30 19.6 25 20.8 22 22.7 52 21.6 136.4

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 99 64.7 69 57.5 59 60.8 151 62.7 155.9

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 66 43.1 50 41.7 33 34.0 91 37.8 175.8

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 4 2.6 2 1.7 5 5.2 13 5.4 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 63 41.2 45 37.5 44 45.4 110 45.6 150.0

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 36 23.5 16 13.3 9 9.3 19 7.9 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 16 10.5 9 7.5 11 11.3 17 7.1 54.5

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 17.0 11 9.2 15 15.5 33 13.7 120.0

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 6 3.9 1 0.8 3 3.1 19 7.9 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 51 33.3 30 25.0 30 30.9 77 32.0 156.7

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 12 7.8 11 9.2 2 2.1 7 2.9 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 5.9 8 6.7 8 8.2 23 9.5 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 7 4.6 8 6.7 4 4.1 4 1.7 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 125 81.7 83 69.2 97 100.0 267 110.8 175.3

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 421 275.2 274 228.3 261 269.1 680 282.2 160.5

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Percent Number Percent Number

SALT LAKE CITY, UT

SAN ANTONIO, TX

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 87 
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 366 100.0 419 100.0 338 100.0 356 100.0 5.3

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 267 73.0 306 73.0 242 71.6 267 75.0 10.3

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 97 26.5 112 26.7 96 28.4 88 24.7 -8.3

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 2 0.5 1 0.2 - - 1 0.3 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 266 72.7 294 70.2 240 71.0 250 70.2 4.2

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26 7.1 51 12.2 27 8.0 33 9.3 22.2

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 61 16.7 57 13.6 62 18.3 61 17.1 -1.6

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.5 17 4.1 7 2.1 7 2.0 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 4 1.1 - - 2 0.6 5 1.4 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 0.5 6 1.4 1 0.3 4 1.1 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 34 9.3 42 10.0 24 7.1 26 7.3 8.3

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 60 16.4 70 16.7 66 19.5 65 18.3 -1.5

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 267 73.0 301 71.8 245 72.5 260 73.0 6.1

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 3 0.8 - - 2 0.6 1 0.3 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 132 36.1 165 39.4 103 30.5 118 33.1 14.6

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 21 5.7 14 3.3 13 3.8 19 5.3 46.2

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 108 29.5 108 25.8 83 24.6 74 20.8 -10.8

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 138 37.7 133 31.7 108 32.0 87 24.4 -19.4

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 11 3.0 17 4.1 15 4.4 14 3.9 -6.7

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 36 9.8 22 5.3 28 8.3 35 9.8 25.0

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 14 3.8 14 3.3 9 2.7 19 5.3 ...

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 165 45.1 165 39.4 165 48.8 143 40.2 -13.3

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - 2 0.5 - - 1 0.3 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 2.5 11 2.6 8 2.4 15 4.2 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 96 26.2 115 27.4 84 24.9 88 24.7 4.8

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 1 0.3 2 0.5 1 0.3 1 0.3 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 302 82.5 333 79.5 261 77.2 340 95.5 30.3

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 1,033 282.2 1,101 262.8 878 259.8 954 268.0 8.7

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 388 100.0 317 100.0 322 100.0 362 100.0 12.4

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 301 77.6 221 69.7 262 81.4 284 78.5 8.4

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 86 22.2 96 30.3 59 18.3 78 21.5 32.2

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.3 - - 1 0.3 - - ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 279 71.9 222 70.0 229 71.1 234 64.6 2.2

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 79 20.4 65 20.5 60 18.6 76 21.0 26.7

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22 5.7 15 4.7 18 5.6 26 7.2 44.4

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.1 15 4.7 15 4.7 22 6.1 46.7

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - 4 1.1 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 0.5 2 0.6 1 0.3 2 0.6 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 17 4.4 15 4.7 24 7.5 24 6.6 0.0

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 67 17.3 58 18.3 52 16.1 58 16.0 11.5

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 302 77.8 242 76.3 245 76.1 278 76.8 13.5

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 153 39.4 119 37.5 108 33.5 135 37.3 25.0

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 31 8.0 14 4.4 18 5.6 18 5.0 0.0

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 155 39.9 127 40.1 158 49.1 158 43.6 0.0

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 114 29.4 108 34.1 122 37.9 132 36.5 8.2

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 3.4 8 2.5 7 2.2 15 4.1 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49 12.6 48 15.1 38 11.8 33 9.1 -13.2

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 32 8.2 27 8.5 24 7.5 28 7.7 16.7

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 213 54.9 160 50.5 167 51.9 193 53.3 15.6

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 2 0.6 5 1.6 5 1.4 ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 5.4 21 6.6 32 9.9 19 5.2 -40.6

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 44 11.3 49 15.5 45 14.0 58 16.0 28.9

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 3 0.8 1 0.3 1 0.3 3 0.8 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 234 60.3 220 69.4 225 69.9 294 81.2 30.7

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 1,067 275.0 904 285.2 950 295.0 1,091 301.4 14.8

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Percent Number Percent Number

SAN DIEGO, CA

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

 88 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 239 100.0 210 100.0 251 100.0 251 100.0 0.0

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 184 77.0 161 76.7 181 72.1 173 68.9 -4.4

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 54 22.6 46 21.9 66 26.3 77 30.7 16.7

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.4 3 1.4 4 1.6 1 0.4 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 188 78.7 174 82.9 219 87.3 221 88.0 0.9

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 35 14.6 26 12.4 20 8.0 23 9.2 15.0

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 3.8 2 1.0 3 1.2 2 0.8 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.9 8 3.8 8 3.2 5 2.0 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - 1 0.4 - - ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 1.3 - - 1 0.4 1 0.4 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 20 8.4 21 10.0 7 2.8 27 10.8 ...

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 47 19.7 45 21.4 53 21.1 45 17.9 -15.1

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 168 70.3 143 68.1 189 75.3 178 70.9 -5.8

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.4 1 0.5 1 0.4 - - ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 99 41.4 94 44.8 113 45.0 77 30.7 -31.9

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 14 5.9 13 6.2 29 11.6 15 6.0 -48.3

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 81 33.9 74 35.2 78 31.1 88 35.1 12.8

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.3 6 2.9 5 2.0 3 1.2 ...

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 12 5.0 8 3.8 9 3.6 5 2.0 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 7.9 21 10.0 26 10.4 14 5.6 -46.2

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 8 3.3 12 5.7 13 5.2 11 4.4 -15.4

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 150 62.8 136 64.8 156 62.2 140 55.8 -10.3

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - - - 1 0.4 - - ...

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 4.6 16 7.6 25 10.0 11 4.4 -56.0

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. 3 1.3 4 1.9 4 1.6 30 12.0 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 98 41.0 101 48.1 149 59.4 169 67.3 13.4

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 498 208.4 485 231.0 608 242.2 563 224.3 -7.4

TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3........................................ 1 100.0 - - 1 100.0 4 100.0 ...

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 3 75.0 ...

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 2 50.0 ...

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 3 75.0 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... - - - - - - 2 50.0 ...

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. - - - - - - 1 25.0 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - - - -

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - - - - - - - -

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... - - - - - - - - -

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ - - - - - - 7 175.0 ...

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 3 300.0 - - 3 300.0 11 275.0 ...

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998

SEATTLE, WA

SIOUX FALLS, SD

DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999 89 
TOTAL DRUG ABUSE EPISODES 3

........................................ 216 100.0 224 100.0 281 100.0 239 100.0 -14.9

GENDER 

Male........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 161 74.5 171 76.3 195 69.4 174 72.8 -10.8

Female......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 54 25.0 53 23.7 85 30.2 64 26.8 -24.7

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.5 - - 1 0.4 1 0.4 ...

RACE/ETHNICITY 

White.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 107 49.5 126 56.3 114 40.6 95 39.7 -16.7

Black.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 106 49.1 95 42.4 160 56.9 133 55.6 -16.9

Hispanic............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ - - 2 0.9 5 1.8 5 2.1 ...

Other.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 - - 1 0.4 2 0.8 ...

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ - - 1 0.4 1 0.4 4 1.7 ...

AGE 

6-17 years .............................................................................................................................................................. 2 0.9 1 0.4 2 0.7 4 1.7 ...

18-25 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 8 3.7 19 8.5 17 6.0 13 5.4 -23.5

26-34 years ............................................................................................................................................................. 53 24.5 41 18.3 49 17.4 23 9.6 -53.1

35 years and older ..................................................................................................................... 152 70.4 163 72.8 212 75.4 197 82.4 -7.1

Unknown/no response ................................................................................ 1 0.5 - - 1 0.4 2 0.8 ...

SELECTED DRUG GROUPS 

Alcohol-in-comb ....................................................................................................................... 73 33.8 84 37.5 103 36.7 85 35.6 -17.5

Amitriptyline (Elavil).............................................................................................................................................................. 10 4.6 9 4.0 10 3.6 7 2.9 ...

Cocaine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 101 46.8 81 36.2 121 43.1 106 44.4 -12.4

Codeine ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 18 8.3 22 9.8 32 11.4 23 9.6 -28.1

d-Propoxyphene (Darvocet N, Darvon) ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 1.9 4 1.8 5 1.8 6 2.5 ...

Diazepam (Valium) ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 4.2 24 10.7 16 5.7 15 6.3 -6.3

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) ............................................................................................................................................................ 11 5.1 16 7.1 17 6.0 14 5.9 -17.6

Heroin/morphine 2...................................................................................................................... 93 43.1 107 47.8 117 41.6 103 43.1 -12.0

Marijuana/hashish ...................................................................................................................... - - 1 0.4 - - - - -

Methadone .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 8 3.6 10 3.6 5 2.1 ...

Methamphetamine/speed .............................................................................. - - 1 0.4 1 0.4 5 2.1 ...

PCP/PCP combinations ............................................................................... 9 4.2 5 2.2 4 1.4 4 1.7 ...

All other drugs ............................................................................................................................................................ 166 76.9 180 80.4 197 70.1 188 78.7 -4.6

TOTAL DRUG MENTIONS .............................................................................. 499 231.0 542 242.0 633 225.3 561 234.7 -11.4

SOURCE: Office of Applied Studies, SAMHSA, Drug Abuse Warning Network 1999 (07/2000 update).

Table 4.07 - Distribution of drug abuse deaths by decedent demographic 

characteristics and of drug mentions by drug group 

according to metropolitan area: 1996-19991 - Continued

Number Percent

Race/ethnicity, age, and

drug groups

1996 1997 1998 1999 Percentage

change in

numbers, 

1998-1999 Number Percent

3

 If total deaths within a metropolitan area is 3 or less, then the drug-abuse deaths by demographic characteristics and drug mentions are suppressed 

for that area.

2

 Includes opiates not specified as to type.

1

 Excludes data on homicides, deaths in which AIDS was reported, and deaths in which "drug unknown" was the only substance mentioned. Based 

on consistent panel of facilities with similar reporting history over the period 1996-1999 (see Table 4.01).

Percent Number Percent Number

WASHINGTON, DC/MD/VA

 90 DAWN Annual Medical Examiner Data 1999