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A third of suicide victims in a recent study had alcohol in their system, and about 10 percent tested positive for other drugs, such as opiates, cocaine, marijuana, or amphetamines, according to researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The Washington Times reported Nov. 25 that the CDC said that the results "underscore the need to continue monitoring toxicology test results of suicide victims, which might identify patterns of substance use that can help guide development of effective suicide interventions."
The study was based on data from 13 states collected as part of the National Violent Death Reporting System. The report did not determine how much alcohol or other drugs were in the bodies of suicide victims or whether they were intoxicated at the time of death. Not every suicide victim was tested for alcohol or other drugs.
The findings were published in the Nov. 24. 2006 issue of the CDC's Morbidity & Morbidity Weekly Report.
Reference:
Karch, D, Crosby, A, Simon, T. (2006) Toxicology Testing and Results for Suicide Victims --- 13 States, 2004. MMWR Weekly, 55(46): 1245-1248.
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