Barbiturate Mortality as an Index of Barbiturate Use,Canada, 1950-1963

Changes in Canadian rates of mortality from barbiturates are examined, and their relation to barbiturate use in the general population is discussed. While the number of deaths attributed to barbiturates quadrupled, from 63 in 1950 to 232 in 1963, there has been a concomitant decrease in the number of deaths from inhalation of utility gas.Combined rates for deaths from utility gas and barbiturates declined steadily for most age groups between 1950-52, 1955-57, and 1959-63. It is possible that the increased mortality from barbiturates represents a change in fashion in regard to method of suicide. Changed mortality from barbiturates is not a valid measure of the extent to which consumption of barbiturates has increased in the Canadian population.