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Table DRD-2. Number of drug-induced deaths recorded in EU Member States according to national definitions [see all tables in this series...]

Part (i) Total drug-induced deaths, 1995 to 2007

Country1995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007
Belgium132137123::::::::::
Bulgaria19111621284124131526402952
Czech Republic(1):::61798084445557624240
Denmark214242256243217240221:::207227:
Germany1565171215011674181220301835151314771385132612961394
Estonia::472231458636985768:
Ireland:::104115113106125107126159::
Greece176222232245265304321259217253314173175
Spain(2)371381321271258254240204274212237218:
Spain(3)698690711689761705666667643679665518:
France465393228143118247272242231267301305:
Italy119515661160108010021016825520517653652517589
Cyprus:::::::::149712
Latvia:153324236351214141721
Lithuania9233432374535334038316272
Luxembourg221791617261811141381927
Hungary:524731423840:3234282525
Malta125556785687:
Netherlands7010810811011513114410310412712211299
Austria170191136109128167139139163185191197175
Poland175179253235292310294324277231290241:
Portugal(4)198232235337369318280156152156219216314
Romania(5)::::::1237762132
Slovenia::20273332343832454439:
Slovakia:::::::::23172017
Finland51107988411913411097101135126138143
Sweden70122133138153191162160152135168157:
United Kingdom (ONS)(6)301231183310348236533478370434573166339633113201:
United Kingdom (DSD)(7)134114401558173919411930217220371780188719872025:
Croatia473336344851645257888472115
Turkey::::::::::2651147
Norway143195185274237360398291231285200222:
Totals671476427057740779398537828069046408687972516700-

Notes:

 : indicates data not available 

 A longer time series, dating back to 1985 for reporting countries, is available in the Supplementary tables section of this Statistical bulletin. 

 Absolute numbers from different countries are not directly comparable since differences remain in case definition and recording methods. 

 The national definitions used to report to the EMCDDA and the methods used are described in Drug-related deaths — methods and definitions

 National definitions usually refer to acute deaths directly related to drug consumption (‘overdoses’, ‘poisonings’ or ‘drug-induced’). Note that, in a few countries, the figures include also a limited number of cases of deaths indirectly related to drug use (e.g. AIDS, accidents with positive toxicology). See Drug-related deaths — methods and definitions. Note in addition that in some countries, statistics published at national level may differ from those presented here, owing to differences of case definition used at national level. 

 (1) For the Czech Republic, EMCDDA Selection D was used instead of the national definition. National definition includes also poisoning by psychoactive medicines, which accounts for most cases. 

 (2) Data refer to the six major cities: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, Sevilla and Bilbao. Between 1997 and 2000 data for Sevilla are not included. In 2003 and 2004 data for Zaragoza are not included. 

 (3) Data refer to the whole country. 

 (4) Data include all cases with post mortem analysis positive for any drug of abuse, which is likely to produce an overestimate compared to selection D. 

 (5) Data refer only to Bucharest and several counties in the competence area of the Toxicology Laboratory from Bucharest. 

 (6) United Kingdom (ONS): Definition used by Office for National Statistics (ONS). Only this figure from the United Kingdom (and not the DSD figures) are included in the ‘Totals’ for the EU. 

 (7) United Kingdom (DSD): Figures from the Drug Strategy Definition (DSD) of drug-induced deaths: it is an extract from the ONS definition that includes cases with drugs controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971. For details refer to the Methods and Definitions Summary document in this Statistical bulletin. The DSD definition is relatively similar to the EMCDDA definition for general mortality registries(Selection B); in 2002, DSD computes 2037 cases and the Selection B, 1857; for 2003, DSD computes 1780 and the EMCDDA Selection B, 1590; for 2004, DSD computes 1887 cases and the EMCDDA Selection B, 1709; for 2005, DSD has 1987 cases and Selection B has 1812, and for 2006 DSD has 2025 and Selection B 1785 cases. 

 See also 'General notes for interpreting data' on the Explanatory notes and help page

Sources:

 Reitox national reports 2008, taken from national mortality registries or special registries (forensic or police). Based on ‘National definitions’ as presented in Drug-related deaths — methods and definitions

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Page last updated: Wednesday, 01 July 2009