This update presents figures from the National Drug-Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) on deaths due to poisoning by alcohol and/or other drugs, and deaths among drug users, in the period 2004–2010.

Overview:
• In the seven-year period 2004–2010 a total of 3,972 deaths by drug poisoning and deaths among drug users met the criteria for inclusion in the NDRDI database. Of these deaths, 2,364 were due to poisoning and 1,608 were deaths among drug users (non-poisoning) (Table 1).
• The annual number of deaths in 2010 decreased to 575, compared to 652 in 2009. The 2010 figure is likely to be revised when new data become available (Table 1).