What types of drug-related deaths are not included in DAWN?
There are only a few exceptions to the DAWN case criteria. A death is not included in DAWN: • If the death is not reviewed or investigated by a medical examiner or coroner. • If the decedent consumed a non-pharmaceutical substance but did not inhale it. • If the decedent has a history of drug use but no current use. • If alcohol is the only substance involved and the decedent is age 21 or over. • If the only documentation of a drug is in toxicology test results. • If the drugs listed are not related to the death (e.g., current medications). • If there is no evidence of recent drug use. • If the drug did not cause or contribute to the death. • If the death was due to under-medication, i.e., taking too little of a drug. • If the decedent was a homicide victim, even if on drugs at the time of death. How are DAWN cases found? DAWN cases are found by a retrospective review of all ED medical records or ME/C case files. Patients or families are never interviewed. The review of source records