Mildura accidental drug overdose deaths rise, Penington Institute finds
Accidental drug overdose deaths have spiked in Mildura by 50 per cent. And experts warn the situation is getting worse, with local drugs programs pushed to the limit.
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A rise in the number of unintentional overdose deaths has been recorded in Mildura, giving the region an “unacceptably high” number of fatalities.
Fifteen people from Mildura died from an accidental overdose during the five years between 2014 to 2018, a Penington Institute report found.
That was an increase from 10 in the previous five-year period and 11 a decade earlier.
Penington Institute chief executive John Ryan said the Mildura data was part of “Australia’s hidden health crisis”.
“That’s an unacceptably high number – and it’s 15 too many,” Mr Ryan said.
“The data is clear: the overdose situation in Mildura appears to be getting worse.
“People are suffering and dying unnecessarily, and all levels of government and society need to do more to keep them safe.”
Mr Ryan said the organisation’s Annual Overdose Report aimed to bring overdose out of the shadows and ultimately reduce harms.
Regional and rural Victoria has had a higher rate of deaths compared with Melbourne each year since 2008, on a per-population basis.
The report found that since 2013, deaths involving heroin had increased 106 per cent, while deaths involving oxycodone, morphine or codeine had increased 36 per cent.
Sunraysia Community Health Services program manager for mental health and drugs and alcohol Norry Elder has been in his current role since April last year.
Mr Elder said while he and his team weren’t aware of many instances of unintentional overdoses, demand for services was on the rise.
The opioid replacement therapy program, known as ORT, was at “bursting point” and may soon require a waiting list.
He said the number of people taking part in the program usually ranged from the high 40s to about 60.
“It‘s certainly a service that’s always in demand and that’s increasing,” Mr Elder said.
In terms of prescription medications, Mr Elder said the SafeScript program in Victoria had helped monitor behaviour, along with getting co-operation from pharmacies on both sides of the border.
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