MELBOURNE’S north-west remains a hotspot for drug and alcohol abuse, with legal and illegal drugs accounting for almost 500 ambulance call-outs in Melton last year.
New data released by Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre reveals 497 drug and alcohol-related calls were made to emergency services in 2011-12, down from 542 in 2010-11.
The report showed a substantial increase in crystal methamphetamine-related ambulance attendances across metropolitan Melbourne. There were 592 ‘ice’ call-outs in the metro area during 2011-12, compared to 282 in 2010-11.
Melton paramedic Aaron Riding said ambulance services were being put under increasing pressure.
In recent weeks he had attended up to 15 narcotic overdoses in the north-west alone.
“Actual incidents of overdoses may only be a small portion of the number that takes place,” he said. “Paramedics are increasingly being faced with volatile, agitated and violent patients under the influence of crystal meth. Their behaviour is particularly unpredictable as the drug is both a stimulant and a depressant.
“Heroin call-outs often come in waves when there has been a shipment of the drug to the western suburbs.”
Turning Point researcher Belinda Lloyd said crystal methamphetamine use had the potential to cause severe mental and physical effects, particularly when used with other drugs.
Dr Lloyd said the continued prevalence of alcohol-related call-outs was also disturbing.
She called for more education programs to empower the west’s low socio-economic and culturally diverse communities.
“Residents need to be educated on the effects and risks of drugs and alcohol through education programs so they can make informed decisions.”
Dr Lloyd said drug and alcohol programs must be carefully established through evidence-based education to enure they met the needs of the public.
