Liam McNally
More than 60 people died of unintentional drug overdoses between 2017 and 2021 in the Bacchus Marsh-Melton area, according to a new report by the Penington Institute.
Data from the report, released a few days before International Overdose Awareness Day, shows that unintentional drug overdoses were 90 per cent higher than the 2012 to 2016 figure of 33.
Between 2011 and 2021 the population of Melton-Bacchus Marsh increased 59.31 per cent.
Western Health Addiction Medicine unit head Dr Jon Cook said the population in Melbourne’s west is increasing rapidly but sadly drug use levels are not declining.
“The statistics in the Penington report are more than just numbers to us. Tragically, 63 families in the Bacchus Marsh-Melton area have lost a loved one in the four-year period covered by the report, and any loss of life through overdose is a tragedy,” he said.
“Addiction can affect people from all walks of life. The sooner we can get people into treatment, the more lives we can save. We can do this by reducing the stigma of drug use, raising awareness of the services and supports available in the west, and boosting service capacity, especially in high growth areas such as Bacchus Marsh and Melton.
“The social stigma of drug use can make people hesitate to come forward. Our message to the community is to seek the help that you need, when you need it – whether it’s for yourself or someone close to you. Remember that help is available to treat long-term addiction, and if you are with someone who you believe has overdosed, call for medical help straight away.”
Nationally, there were 2,231 drug-induced deaths reported in 2021, with a staggering 75 per cent of these deaths being unintentional.
Opioids were the most common drug present in unintentional deaths.
Penington Institute chief executive John Ryan said the report findings are cause for concern for all Australians and called for immediate action to address the nation’s “overdose crisis”.
“Unintentional overdose death in Australia has far outpaced population growth over the past two decades,” he said.
“This shows our response as a nation is simply not keeping up.”
Mr Ryan urged governments, healthcare providers, and communities to take urgent action.
“The time to address this national crisis is now. We already have the tools and know-how to reduce overdose deaths – we just need to do it…. by implementing evidence-based solutions, supporting access to treatment, and closing the gap in overdose death rates between
Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” he said.
