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Table DRD-1. Summary of characteristics of the deceased in drug-induced deaths according to national definitions [see all tables in this series...]

Part (i) Demographic characteristics, 2008 or last year with available information

CountryYearType of definitionNo of DRD% Male% FemaleMean age% aged under 15% aged under 25% aged 35+% aged 65+
Belgium::::::::::
Bulgaria2008:7475.724.333.60.023.027.06.8
Czech Republic(1)2008Selection D4481.818.231.10.020.538.60.0
Denmark2007Selection B21170.129.942.90.06.668.77.6
Germany2008:144984.213.236.00.07.755.60.4
Estonia2008Selection B6789.610.429.00.020.911.90.0
Ireland2007Selection D18579.520.532.10.025.428.62.7
Greece2008Selection D11095.54.5:0.010.934.50.0
Spain(2)2007:51989.011.0:0.07.963.00.0
France2007Selection B33379.320.742.40.312.959.813.5
Italy2008Selection D50289.610.435.40.211.255.80.4
Cyprus2008Selection D1190.99.130.10.09.127.30.0
Latvia2008Selection B2470.829.229.50.020.816.70.0
Lithuania2008Aprox. Selection B6093.36.731.80.018.335.00.0
Luxembourg2008:1070.030.033.20.020.050.00.0
Hungary2008Selection D2770.429.630.10.025.918.50.0
Malta2006Selection B771.428.628.60.042.914.30.0
Netherlands2008Selection B12979.820.240.10.05.474.48.5
Austria(3)2008Selection D16979.320.730.00.639.626.00.0
Poland2007:21464.036.046.60.916.866.822.4
Portugal(4)::::::::::
Romania(5)2008Selection B3393.96.125.20.045.59.10.0
Slovenia2008:3680.619.434.00.022.244.40.0
Slovakia2008Selection D2580.020.033.20.012.040.00.0
Finland2008Selection B16971.029.036.20.018.950.91.2
Sweden2007Selection B23275.924.140.70.015.560.37.3
United Kingdom (DSD)2008Aprox. Selection B236878.921.137.90.312.755.23.1
Croatia2008Selection B8791.98.131.40.020.726.40.0
Turkey2008Selection D15995.05.032.80.012.637.10.0
Norway2007Aprox. Selection B27578.921.137.60.413.853.12.9

Notes:

 The information refers to the last year for which information on the deceased's characteristics was available. Data for Belgium is not included as the most recent year with available information is 1997. 

 Number of deaths per country per year are presented in Table DRD-2 part (i)

 Type of definition refers to the EMCDDA standard definition; if the national definition matches with the agreed case definition established in the EMCDDA DRD Protocol: Selection B for general mortality registries and Selection D for Special Registries. In some countries equivalence is not total but it is, in practice, relatively similar (see Drug-related deaths — methods and definitions). 

 Figures for EMCDDA standard definitions (Selection B and Selection D) for all countries with available information, see Table DRD-3 and Table DRD-4, and Drug-related deaths — methods and definitions.  

 (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 (194 cases out of 238). 

 (2) From 2008 onwards, the data coverage is national. In previous years, the information was based on six cities (Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Sevilla, Zaragoza and Bilbao). 

 (3) In the year 2008 the number of cases on which no autopsy has been performed tripled (up to 32 cases) in comparison with previous years. Thus the number reported for 2008 might be the lower limit, adding up to 201 cases if all 32 suspicious non confirmed cases were included. 

 (4) Data has not been included this year due to major discrepancies existing in previous years between figures from the General Mortality Register and the Special Register (reporting all cases with a positive toxicology, not only Selection D). Ongoing work is conducted by Portugal to harmonise data reporting with EMCDDA Selection D, and to make data available in next reporting year. 

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

 See Drug-related deaths — methods and definitions.  

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

Sources:

 Reitox national reports 2009, taken from national mortality registries or Special Registries (forensic or police). Based on ‘National definitions’ as presented in Drug-related deaths — methods and definitions.  

(see the help page for information about formats etc.)

Page last updated: Wednesday, 23 June 2010