SUICIDES AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG OVERDOSES REMAIN LEADING CAUSES OF DEATHS COUNTYWIDE

County News Service

July 15, 2014 (San Diego) – For the third year in a row, suicides and prescription drug overdoses continue to be the leading causes of death in cases investigated by the San Diego County Medical Examiner. Meanwhile, homicide numbers fell for the first time in two years.

The Medical Examiner’s office released its 2013 Annual Report today.  The office collects data on the nearly 10,000 deaths in the County reported to them last year--half of the roughly 20,000 deaths that occur yearly in the County.  The report focuses on the nearly 3,000 deaths in which the Medical Examiner took jurisdiction, including all  non-natural deaths in the County as well as about 5 percent of natural deaths. These natural deaths tends to be younger people and deaths are are sudden or unexpected.

Chief Deputy Medical Examiner Dr. Jonathan Lucas says one of the main reasons for the report is to help identify patterns and trends for various deaths, many of which are preventable.  He states, “This data is useful to identify issues that may need additional resources. The data may also show whether prevention education efforts are working to address previously identified problems.”

The office performed autopsies on nearly 2,000 cases, and about half were given external examinations.

In San Diego County, 45 percent of these deaths were found to be accidental, 36 percent were natural causes, 15 percent were suicides, 3.3 percent were homicides, and in 1.3 percent, the manner of death could not be determined.  

Other findings in the 2013 cases include:

• Prescription drug deaths remain the most common cause of accidental deaths, though the rate did fall slightly last year. 
• Methamphetamine was the leading drug in accidental overdose deaths, and set a record with 190 deaths for 2013. Alcohol was second, causing 127 accidental deaths.
• Heroin deaths also continued to increase, with 89 deaths, the third most accidental cause of fatalities. Most accidental heroin overdose deaths were among people in their 20s. 
• The number of suicides, 441, was the highest on record. 
• Homicide deaths dropped. In 2013, 88 homicides were reported to the Medical Examiner; 122 were reported in 2012. Last year, these included 39 deaths  due to firearms; 22 deaths due to cutting or stabbing; and 15 deaths  by blunt force. Ten officer-involved shootings occurred in 2013.
• In 2013, 247 people died in motor vehicle-related collisions, down from 270 fatalities in 2012. These fatalities also include passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Alcohol remains a major factor in motor vehicle-related deaths.
• The number one cause of natural deaths  in the Medical Examiner cases remains cardiovascular disease—and obesity remains a major risk factor in natural deaths.

The Medical Examiner’s Office notes that many of the deaths could have been prevented and urges people to seek out help in a crisis through these resources.

• Mental health and substance abuse counseling is available to anyone who is struggling or worried about a friend or loved one, by calling the County’s Behavioral Health Access and Crisis Line at 888-724-7240.
• Suicide prevention and awareness information is available at up2sd.org.
• 211 San Diego offers referrals to family and individual services and programs. You can call 2-1-1 or visit online.
• Crime prevention tips from the Sheriff’s Department are available  here.
• Drop off unwanted and expired medications at these location