How common are drug overdoses in Australia?

Drug overdoses, including the use of prescription pills or illicit drugs, are often accidents. When an addicted user wants more and more every day, it’s easy to fall into the mistake of taking too much at once. But how common are these incidents in Australia? We look at the statistics.

Drug Use Common

Around 40% of Australians over the age of 14 admit to having used some kind of illicit drug in their lifetime. That may include anything from cannabis to cocaine, or from ecstasy to heroin. While trying a drug once is one thing, frequent use is another; 15% of those surveyed admitted that they had taken the drugs within the last year. Cannabis is the most widely-used illicit drug, but it is far from the most dangerous which is in regular circulation. Comparing studies from 2010, 2007, and 2000, that statistics show that drug use had not changed over the decade – except for an increase in cannabis use and a decrease in ecstasy use due to supply.

Most Costly Drugs

While heroin and similar opiates account for just 1% of the drug use, they also account for 90% of deaths due to illicit drugs, which includes overdoses and other complications. In 2004-5, the cost to the Australian healthcare system of illicit drug use was $201.7 million – with costs ranging from treatments to the handling of bodies. Not only physical health problems, but also mental ones, can be brought on by drugs causing psychological trips and problems. Withdrawal is also a big burden on the healthcare system. Some patients may go to treatment centres, for example Riverside Clinic, while others do not seek treatment until they experience a life-threatening episode. Amphetamines are the second highest category for overdoses, with around 400 deaths a year caused by overdose of any illicit drug in Australia.

Demographics for Overdoses

The demographic figures strongly show that those within the 20-29 years age range are the most likely to overdose, as well as being the most likely category for drug use in general. Interestingly, there is one skew in the results: for cocaine and heroin, users and overdoses are more likely to be in the 30-39 age range. The suggestion is that drug users begin in their early twenties, and progress onto stronger drugs which they use more frequently by the time that they are in their thirties. Males have a higher rate for drug use across all ages, and are also more likely to be hospitalised as a result. It’s worth noting that while cannabis has never resulted in an overdose death so far, it is the third highest cause for hospitalisation after heroin and amphetamines.

Death by Complications

While the overdose itself can be enough to cause death, there are plenty of complications which may come afterwards which can also be dangerous. While doctors attempt to treat the overdose, they also have to watch out for and treat these additional problems. They include seizures, heart attacks, hyperthermia, respiratory failure, and psychosis, which can cause patients to act in a dangerous way. 

Drug overdoses are still more common in Australia than you might expect, particularly given that so many young people admit to trying drugs. The burden on society as a whole is huge, with an estimated $8 million total cost including the healthcare fees.