Objective: Given the potential increase in the abusive use of opioids over the years and the social impact related to lives lost attributable to poisoning, this study aims to evaluate deaths that occurred in Belo Horizonte and the metropolitan region, between 2006 and 2018. Methods: a cross-sectional, retrospective study was carried out; frequency and central tendency measurements were carried out, as well as chi-square tests and t-tests to assess the independence of the distribution of variables, considering a significance level of 0.05%. Results and Conclusions: 100 autopsy reports were analyzed, in which was possible to notice an increase in the detection of opioids from 2013 onwards. There was a higher prevalence of males (65%), with an average age of 48.9 years. Undetermined cause and circumstance of death were the most prevalent (44%, 61%, respectively). Of the deaths resulting from external causes (33%), four were due to opioid poisoning. The majority of those examined have received medical care prior to death (57%). Strong traditional opioids (82.1%), natural opioids (72.6%) and pure opioids agonists (97.6%) were the most frequently found, with tramadol being the most frequently observed (35%). Most cases presented negative blood alcohol levels (89.6%) and positive results for the detection of psychotropic drugs (64%). Men had a lower average age, received more medical care, and died more from trauma than women. Despite being considered an important public health problem in other countries, Belo Horizonte and metropolitan region do not yet appear to have an impact on deaths from external causes. More comprehensive studies must be carried out to better understand our environment.
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