RMIT expert available for comment on new overdose death statistics
An expert from RMIT University is available to talk to media about a report released by the Coroners Court of Victoria on overdose deaths.
The report can be found here: https://www.coronerscourt.vic.gov.au/victorian-overdose-deaths-2011-2020
Dr Monica Barratt (0407 778 938 or monica.barratt@rmit.edu.au)
Topics: drug policy, drug use patterns, psychedelics, harm reduction, drug checking
“This morning, the Coroners Court of Victoria released their report Victorian Overdose Deaths 2011–2020.
“The inclusion of 2020 data gives us some insights into how pandemic related drug market changes may have affected overdose deaths.
“The report includes Victorian deaths where experts determined that acute toxic effects of drugs contributed to the death – it excludes behavioural effects or chronic effects. Drug types included pharmaceutical, alcohol and illegal drugs (including novel/new substances).
“Annual number of overdose deaths peaked at 543 in 2018, to drop slightly to 516 in 2019 and 526 in 2020 – a 2% increase from 2019 to 2020.
“Over the decade, there is gradual increase in the rate of overdose per 100,000 population for males and females, across urban and rural populations.
“In 2020, pharmaceuticals contributed to 76% of deaths, illegal drugs to 51% and alcohol to 29%. 2020 was similar to previous years.
“Benzodiazepines (mainly diazepam) contributed to 53% of all overdose deaths in 2020, with this rate remaining unchanged from previous years.
“Heroin deaths in the City of Yarra, where the Richmond medically supervised injecting room is situated, decreased from 26 in 2018 (the injecting room opened in July 2018) to 9 in 2020.
“Between 2019 and 2020, GHB overdoses doubled, while cocaine and MDMA also increased. Causes of these changes are unclear but could be related to disruptions in drug markets during the pandemic.
“New psychoactive substance (NPS) overdose deaths have shot up from 8 (2018) to 17 (2019) to 33 (2020).
“This could be because toxicologists are better at finding them now. It is also likely that NPS were more prevalent in the illegal drug market during the pandemic.
“These data show that drug checking is needed more than ever, as drug markets are more unpredictable and complex.
“Without our own drug checking service in Victoria, we lack the capacity to rapidly warn the community about what new substances/combinations are emerging.
“Each overdose is the loss of someone's life. Each overdose is tragic. Each overdose can be prevented.”
Dr Monica Barratt is a Vice-Chancellor's Senior Research Fellow in the Social and Global Studies Centre at RMIT University. Her research investigates psychoactive drug use in digital society through multiple disciplines, including sociology and criminology alongside epidemiology and public health.
***
Interviews: Dr Monica Barratt, 0407 778 938 or monica.barratt@rmit.edu.au.
Media enquiries: RMIT Communications, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.