Demographic, Geographic, and Temporal Patterns of Ambulance Runs for Suspected Opiate Overdose in Rhode Island, 1997–2002

Abstract

We examine ambulance runs for suspected opiate overdose from 1997 to 2002 using a Rhode Island Department of Health database. Of the 8,763 ambulance runs for overdoses, 18.6% were for suspected opiate overdoses. Most cases were males under age 54. Suspected opiate overdoses were more likely to occur in a private residence, were more frequent on Fridays and Saturdays, and peaked in incidence around 9:00 p.m. The incidence rate of suspected opiate overdose by year was similar. The study results may help identify areas for preventive intervention and demonstrate the limitation of using naloxone as a marker of opiate overdose events.

Keywords:

• epidemiology
• heroin
• naloxone
• narcotics
• opiates
• overdose
• recreational drug use