Drug “Overdoses “among U.S. Soldiers in Europe, 1978-1979. II. Psychological Autopsies Following Deaths and Near-Deaths

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Abstract
On-site investigations involving interviews with spouses, friends, coworkers, supervisors and commanders were conducted following 37 deaths or near-deaths by drug overdose among USA soldiers stationed in Europe. Subjects were all active-duty soldiers put on the seriously ill list at any Army hospital with an initial diagnosis which included suspected drug overdose. The victims were typically single, black males, < 22 yr, high school graduates in excellent health. They had been in Germany 7-24 mo., liked their jobs and were judged better than average workers by both peers and supervisors. Half of them played on a unit sports team, 6 of 10 had German girlfriends and 1/3 had prior disciplinary problems. Although nearly half had been previously identified as having a drug or alcohol problem, only 2 or 3 could be labeled addicts in even the broadest sense. Six cases were suicide gestures, and only these 6 cases did not involve heroin and/or alcohol. The modal case followed a party, with substantial drinking. In only 25% of the cases did the victim collapse upon injection. More often he went to bed, vomited during the night and chocked on or inhaled vomitus. Reexamination is needed for 2 common myths: that heroin users comprise a very unique, albeit undesirable, sample of the general population; and that overdose deaths are the result of ignorance, incompetence or indifference.

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