ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 July 1974
Page Count: 10

Opiate Overdose Deaths in the District of Columbia. Part II—Methadone-Related Fatalities
Luke, JL
Chief Medical Examiner, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and Administrator, Narcotics Treatment Administration, Government of the District of Columbia, D.C.

Greene, MH
Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, U.S. Public Health Service, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Center for Disease Control, Ga.

DuPont, RL
Chief Medical Examiner, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and Administrator, Narcotics Treatment Administration, Government of the District of Columbia, D.C.

(Received 20 June 1973; accepted 10 December 1973)

Abstract

With widespread clinical utilization of methadone as a treatment modality for heroin addiction, public attention has been drawn increasingly of late to its potential for diversion to nontherapeutic situations. Deaths directly related to the abuse of black-market methadone have received considerable notoriety in the District of Columbia and elsewhere. Much can and has been learned relating to the complex epidemiological dynamics of the situation, where careful examination of a cohort of methadone-related fatalities has afforded promulgation of reasoned public policy decisions relative to community methadone utilization. Countermeasures taken to control the problem here have proven remarkably effective.

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Paper ID: JFS10214J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10214J
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