Exploring the contextual risk factors and characteristics of individuals who died from the acute toxic effects of opioids and other illegal substances: listening to the coroner and medical examiner voice

• DOI: 10.24095/hpcdp.43.2.01
• Publication Date: 2023-02-13T13:54:36Z
• Authors: Tamara Thompson; Jenny Rotondo; Aganeta Enns; Jennifer Leason; Jessica Halverson; Dirk Huyer; Margot Kuo; Lisa Lapointe; Jennifer May-Hadford; Heather Orpana
• Keywords: Coroner; Thematic Analysis

<sec> <title>Introduction</title> Substance-related acute toxicity deaths continue to be a serious public health concern in Canada. This study explored coroner and medical examiner (C/ME) perspectives of contextual risk factors characteristics associated with from toxic effects opioids other illegal substances </sec> <title>Methods</title> In-depth interviews were conducted 36 C/MEs eight provinces territories between December 2017 February 2018. Interview audio recordings transcribed coded for key themes using thematic analysis. <title>Results</title> Four described the C/MEs: (1) Who is experiencing substance-related death?; (2) present at time death?;(3) Why are people an (4) What social contributing deaths? Deaths crossed demographic socioeconomic groups included who used on occasion, chronically, or first time. Using alone presents risk, while presence others can also contribute if unable unprepared respond. People died often had one more factors: contaminated substances, history substance use, chronic pain decreased tolerance. Social diagnosed undiagnosed mental illness, stigma, lack support follow-up care. <title>Conclusion</title> Findings revealed that better understanding circumstances surrounding these across Canada inform targeted prevention intervention efforts.