Clinical and Forensic Aspects of Heroin-Related Deaths: Prevalence, Contributors and Opportunities for Prevention

This thesis focussed on improving the classification and reporting of heroin-related deaths in Australia in order to improve our understanding of this problem and to improve public health interventions. This research involved the examination of a large series of heroin-related deaths reported to the coroner and working with the AIHW and ABS. It also involved the linkage of coronial data with Ambulance Victoria records to examine the safety of clinical management of heroin overdose in the community, and the impact of Take-Home Naloxone in Victoria. Street-level heroin was also examined to explore the contribution that this may have to overdose.