Victorian Coroners Court report reveals rise in overdose deaths in Geelong

More Geelong residents are dying after overdosing on drugs and experts are concerned it reflects a growth in alcohol and substance harm across regional Victoria.

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association chief executive Chris Christoforou says an increase in overdose deaths in Geelong is concerning.

                            

More Geelong residents are dying after overdosing on drugs, new data has revealed.

The Victorian Coroners Court showed overdose deaths in Greater Geelong increased from 22 in 2022 to 27 last year.

This was the highest number of fatalities in regional Victoria and included 10 people who died after overdosing on heroin.

The report revealed 215 people have died after a drug overdose in Greater Geelong since 2014.

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association chief executive Chris Christoforou said the increase in deaths was “concerning” as it reflected a growth in alcohol and drug harm across the region.

“Whilst heroin and other drug related overdose data fluctuates year to year, deaths related to

heroin and other opioids continue to increase in regional Victoria,” he said.

The report showed 547 people died after an overdose across Victoria – the second highest number of fatalities on record.

State Coroner Judge John Cain said the new data was “deeply troubling”.

“These deaths are preventable and we must strengthen our public health response and increase access to supports and treatment,” he said.

“Drug-related harms are complex and are driven by a variety of factors including changes in drug use, availability and regulation.”

Mr Christoforou said every person who has died by overdose had loved ones who were still feeling their loss.

He said the data had also renewed calls for medically supervised injecting rooms, including in Geelong.

“The need for medically supervised injecting rooms has not disappeared with the decision to not proceed with a (Melbourne) CBD injecting room,” he said.

“This includes for regions where there are high levels of intravenous related substance harm such as Geelong.”

Barwon Health harm reduction co-ordinator Craig Harvey agreed Geelong’s rates of fatal overdose was “very concerning”.

Barwon Health harm reduction co-ordinator Craig Harvey with naloxone, a heroin overdose reversal agent. Picture: Alan Barber.

“Our harm reduction service is working hard to reduce these outcomes, as well as other negative consequences associated with drug use,” he said.

“The use of multiple drugs greatly increases the risk of fatal overdose in particular central nervous system depressants such as benzodiazepines and alcohol.”

Barwon Health offers naloxone, which is used to reverse opioid overdose including heroin, for free from its Corio Community Health Centre and Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub on Moorabool St in the CBD.

Patients can also access naloxone by calling its mobile harm reduction service on 1800 196 850.

A recent report from the Pennington Institute showed there had been a 56 per cent spike in Geelong residents accidentally overdosing on drugs from 60 in 2008-2012 to 94 in 2018-2022.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as Victorian Coroners Court report reveals rise in overdose deaths in Geelong