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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 2009

Country199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009
Belgium13213712348113::::74:::::
Bulgaria191116212841241315264029527438
Czech Republic(1):::617980844455576242404449
Denmark214242256243239247258:::275227211208:
Germany156517121501167418122030183515131477138513261296139414491331
Estonia::472231458636985768:67133
Ireland:::104115113109127109128173188204209:
Greece(2)17622223224526530432125921725532525320613459
Spain(3)371381321271258254240204274212237218188139:
Spain(4)698690711689761705666667643679665518519540:
France465393228143118247272242231267301305333374:
Italy119515661160108010021016825520517653653551606517484
Cyprus:::::::::1497121112
Latvia:1533242363512141417202419
Lithuania92334323745353340383162726068
Luxembourg2217916172618111413819271014
Hungary:524731423840:32342825252731
Malta1255567856871186
Netherlands7010810811011513114410310412712211299129139
Austria(5)170191136109128167139139163185191197175169187
Poland175179253235292310294324277231290241214244:
Portugal:::::::::::::9454
Romania:::::012377621323332
Slovenia::13192319212622253626423628
Slovakia:::::::::2317201725:
Finland51107988411913411097101135126138143169175
Sweden70122133138157194204203188170186172232241:
United Kingdom (ONS)(6)301231183303346436523480367934613168337833053306335237543677
United Kingdom (DSD)(7)134114401552172619461918216520341788187719802036223125692481
Croatia4733363448516452578884721158761
Turkey::::::::::2651147159160
Norway(8)143195185274237360398291255303234251275263:
Totals65167410680670797704820480626778630868247163682871927728-

Notes:

 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) Due to reporting delays (151 cases still under investigation), data for the year 2009 should be compared with caution .     

 (3) 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.     

 (4) Data refer to the whole country.     

 (5) In the year 2008 the number cases on which no autopsy has been performed tripled (up to 32 cases) in comparison with previous years.     

 (6) United Kingdom (ONS): Definition used by Office for National Statistics (ONS).      

 (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). Only this figure from the United Kingdom (and not the ONS figures) are included in the ‘Totals’ for the EU.     

 (8) Until 2002 the national definition did not include ‘intentional poisoning’ (ICD codes:X61,X62). From 2003 Selection B has become the national definition.     

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

Sources:

 Reitox national reports 2010, 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, 29 June 2011