The National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths (np-SAD) principal aim is to contribute to the reduction and prevention of drug-related deaths in the UK due to the misuse of drugs, both licit and illicit, by collecting, analysing and disseminating information on the extent and nature of death. The main findings reported in this years Annual Report are: Notifications of 1,490 drug-related deaths (DRDs) reported by coroners in England and Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man occurring in 2008 were received by the Programme. The total number of DRDs reported in 2008 indicates a decrease of 3.2% over the number reported (1,539) in the previous Annual Report. If the figures from the Scottish Crime & Drug Enforcement Agency are added, the total number of DRDs reported in 2008 for the UK as a whole would be 1,952. This represents an increase of 2.7% reported during the same period for 2007 (1,900). A total of 109 coroners from 115 jurisdictions in England & Wales (about 95%) provided data. The principal underlying cause(s) of death were: accidental poisoning (64%); intentional self-poisoning (13%); and poisoning of undetermined intent (12%). Opiates/opioids (i.e. heroin/morphine; methadone; other opiates/opioid analgesics), alone or in combination with other drugs, accounted for the majority (69%) of all np-SAD cases. The proportion of deaths of drug users aged 50 years or more at the time of death with a known history of drug abuse or dependence notified to the np-SAD over the past decade rose from less than 0.1% in 1999 to 4.2%. The median age at death of those with a history of drug abuse was 29.7 years in 1999; by 2008 this had risen to 36.4 years. Two-thirds (65%) of older drug users died from accidental poisoning; mainly opiates, antidepressants and hypnotics/sedatives. Suicides accounted for 14% of cases, chiefly intentional overdoses involving anti-depressants and/or hypnotics/sedatives or hanging. A further 11% were poisonings of undetermined intent. (Extract of the publication)