Calls for Government action to tackle crisis level of drug deaths after Penington Institute findings
A new snapshot by the Penington Institute found while overall numbers of drug-induced deaths fell slightly in 2023, there was a growing share of those over 50 dying from unintentional overdoses.
The 2272 Australians killed by an overdose in 2023 marked a 10th consecutive year of more than 2000 deaths — roughly the equivalent of a Boeing 737 once a month — and almost twice the national road toll of 1315.
Opioids were the most common drug overdosed on, at 43.9 per cent, while benzodiazepines overtook stimulants as the second-placed drug.
The snapshot comes ahead of a full report in August, which last year showed WA had recorded the highest per capita rate of overdoses for more than 10 years.
Penington Institute chief executive John Ryan said the figures showed how persistent overdoses were in Australia.
'A decade of losing more than 2000 Australians to overdose annually marks a sombre milestone,' he said.
'Governments need to tackle overdose with the same level of energy and enthusiasm used to reduce alcohol and tobacco harm in Australia. We need a comprehensive national overdose response strategy to end the overdose crisis.
'We already know what works to reduce overdose deaths.
'The data tells us that opioids remain the largest contributor to fatal drug overdoses. One relatively cheap and easy solution is giving potential overdose witnesses wider access to naloxone, a life-saving opioid reversal treatment already proven to save lives.'
The alarming figures come as a new study will be released on Wednesday showing Generation Xs — those born between 1962 and 1982 — are more likely to die from methamphetamine use.
The study, published in the journal Addiction, found the demographic experienced the highest risk of dying from methamphetamine-related causes, such as overdose and cardiovascular disease.
While meth deaths have increased fourfold since the start of the century, the rates among younger users declined.
Among the reasons for the broader rise were a stigma around drug use, misinformation and limited access to tailored support services.
'Many people who use drugs are ageing, and the support systems in place are not designed with their needs in mind,' study author Oisin Stronach said.
'These deaths are complex, often involving multiple substances. Yet much of our service sector remains geared toward people using opioids, leaving people who use methamphetamines — particularly older people — underserved.'
Burnet Senior Research Fellow Dr Amanda Roxburgh said the societal stigma around methamphetamine use was a clear barrier to accessing care.
'Methamphetamine is arguably the most stigmatised drug in Australia. That stigma not only isolates people but also deters them from seeking help,' Dr Roxburgh said.
'If we want to save lives, we need to ensure equitable access to health services for all people who use drugs — regardless of their age or substance of choice.'
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News.com.au
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- News.com.au
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ABC News
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- ABC News
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Sky News AU
2 days ago
- Sky News AU
'It pulled me out of the darkness': Channel 10's Barry Du Bois says the words 'I'm not okay' helped save his life, and could save countless others
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