Acute and Chronic Drug Abuse Emergencies in Metropolitan Toronto

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Abstract
From 3548 drug overdose or abuse cases presenting at 21 metropolitan Toronto [Canada] hospitals'' emergency departments, data concerning demographic and medical characteristics, investigative and management procedures, drug analysis services and disposition of patients were collected. Of the 3548 cases, 2723 (77%) were acute overdose and 816 (23%) were drug abuse. Drug overdose was more common than drug abuse for both sexes but was more characteristic of females. The drugs most frequently alleged ingested were benzodiazepines (34%), ethanol (32%), salicylates (16%) and barbiturates (14%). The frequency with which particular classes of drugs are alleged in overdose corresponds closely to the frequency of prescribing these drugs in Ontario.
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