Fatal Drug Overdoses: What Specific Drug Types Were Involved? What Industries and Occupations Were the Decedents Employed in?

BACKGROUND:  There has been a significant increase in drug overdose deaths over the past decade, primarily due to prescription drug overdoses. The objective of this study was to identify the specific drugs involved in drug overdose deaths and to identify the employment industries and occupations of the decedents at the time of death.

METHODS:  Quantitative and narrative analyses of 2011 Kentucky electronic death certificates for all fatal drug overdoses was performed.

RESULTS:  There were 1,010 drug overdose deaths in 2011 in Kentucky; one-half involved pharmaceutical opioids and 42% involved benzodiazepines. The most frequently recorded specific drugs on drug overdose death certificates were alprazolam, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. The most frequently recorded employment industries and occupations at the time of death were the services, and construction industries, and the construction, repair, and food preparation occupations.

CONCLUSIONS:  The results of this study suggest that comprehensive drug-free workplace programs targeted to opioid and benzodiazepine abuse should be added to the current prescription drug overdose prevention policy and program “toolbox”.  Comprehensive drug-free workplace policies and interventions within the construction and service industries and associated occupations should be considered.