Emergency department visits for drug poisoning: United States, 2008-2011.

Poisoning is the leading cause of injury-related mortality in the United States, with more than 40,000 deaths annually. Drugs account for 90% of poisoning deaths, and the number of deaths from drug poisoning has increased substantially in recent years. The emergency department (ED) plays an important role in the treatment of poisoning. This report describes nationally representative data on ED visits for drug poisoning during 2008-2011. All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.