This study was established to examine Coroner's records in which toxicology analysis showed the presence of drugs in body fluids at the time of death. 68 cases were examined which fulfilled the criteria of death having occurred between 01/01/92 and 31/12/92 and positive toxicological analysis of body fluids of the deceased. Of the 22 known drug users in the study, 3 deaths were not drug related. In the majority of cases two drugs were detected. The drugs most commonly detected were tranquilisers. There was a marked difference in the age at death of those known as drug users, and those not known as drug users.

Licit drugs were involved in the majority of deaths recorded and the author calls for greater care to be taken in prescription of these substances.