Drug overdose has long been one of major causes for mortality and morbidity in many parts of the world, especially in developed countries. The expansion of overdose has broken the social boundaries and gradually touched many facets of societies. Factors contributing to fatal and nonfatal overdose may cover attributes at individual-, drug-, circumstance-, and time-level. Clinical and community-based preventive strategies have emerged to reduce overdose mortality and morbidities. Detailed studies are needed in identifying high-risk groups, factors increasing risk of overdose, and barriers accessing overdose management and prevention, with urgent attention to polydrug and prescription.
Date:
2013-02
Relation:
Principles of Addiction. 2013 Feb;Chap 19:187-192.
