The number of Victorians who have died from overdoses has reached a 10-year high, according to new data from the state’s Coroners Court.
Of the 584 deaths recorded last year, almost three-quarters involved multiple drugs.
Drug and alcohol advocates say the findings highlight the failures of current law enforcement approaches, arguing that “the war on drugs continues to fail, badly.”
Deaths
The Coroners Court report highlighted a “continuing rise” in illegal drug overdoses, including heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine.
A decade ago, illicit substances were involved in less than half of recorded overdose deaths. Last year, they accounted for 65.6%.
Methamphetamine-related overdose deaths have tripled since 2015.
Last year, 248 Victorians died of heroin overdoses, an increase from last year.
Anti-depressants, alcohol, and opioids were also among the top drugs involved.
Men are twice as likely as women to die from an overdose, with adults aged 35 to 54 most at risk.
The report also noted a continued decline in deaths from pharmaceutical drugs, though they remained the most common type of drug involved in overdose deaths.
Most overdose deaths (74.5%) over the past decade have been ruled accidental, while almost 20% were ruled intentional.
Around three-quarters of deaths consistently occur in the capital city, Melbourne.
Coroner
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The Coroners Court said the rise in overdose deaths highlighted the need for harm reduction education and prevention initiatives.
State Coroner Judge John Cain said: “Overdose deaths occur all across Victoria and no community escapes their impact.”
“The concerning rise in overdose deaths, especially those involving illegal drugs, is a stark reminder that we need to keep building on our harm reduction efforts,” Cain added.
"Major concern"
The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) described the report as a reflection of “a sad state of affairs.”
CEO Chris Christoforou attributed the findings to an “overemphasis on policing” and overstretched drug and alcohol treatment services.
“The importance and urgency of reducing this toll must be an absolute priority, because behind every fatal overdose there are families and friends left grieving,” Christoforou said.
Government
A Victorian Government spokesperson told TDA: “Every overdose death is a preventable tragedy that has long-lasting and far-reaching impacts on loved ones and the wider community.”
The spokesperson pointed to efforts including appointing a Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist.
Shadow Mental Health Minister Emma Kealy called the findings the “tragic price” of the Government’s “neglect” of state drug and alcohol treatment services.
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