Ethnic Differences in Analgesic Drug Related Deaths

Abstract

This study investigates ethnic differences (white vs. non-white) in a sample of 121 analgesic drug related deaths. Initial data on deaths with toxicological findings of propoxyphene (Darvon) and/or codeine involvement were obtained from the files of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office. Interviews were conducted with surviving family members, friends, and attending physicians. The findings indicate greater codeine involvement for nonwhites and greater propoxyphene involvement for whites; a higher incidence of illicit drug abuse among nonwhites, with Caucasians more likely to have abused medically prescribed drugs; a higher incidence of alcohol related problems for nonwhites; and greater indications of psychological and social distress prior to death among the Caucasian subsample. Informants for the Caucasian group indicate a relatively greater awareness of the decedent's use of analgesic drugs prior to death. The use of analgesic drugs was also more likely to have been a sufficient or major cause of death within the Caucasian subsample.