“Catastrophic” overdose deaths data sparks urgent calls for prevention centre

A Coroners Court report has revealed 549 Victorians lost their lives to fatal overdoses in 2022, with 22 overdose deaths occurring in Greater Geelong.

The Victorian Overdose Deaths 2013—2022 report reveals 2022 had the highest annual number overdose deaths in the past decade.

The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) issued a statement calling the results “catastrophic”.

CEO Chris Christoforou said while Geelong has not seen an increase this year, alcohol and other drug related harm is significant in the region.

“Twenty-two fatal overdoses, noting that many of these deaths are preventable, is of concern with the impact of these deaths felt deeply within the community,” Mr Christoforou said.

“This, in combination with other data which shows that alcohol, illicit drug and pharmaceutical related ambulance, hospitalisation and drug treatment demand is higher in Geelong than the state average, should provide impetus for prioritising an increase in drug treatment capacity in the region.”

In 2022, the five most prevalent contributing drugs were heroin (230 deaths), diazepam (217 deaths), alcohol (173 deaths), methamphetamine (141 deaths), and methadone (72 deaths).

The report revealed men were on average twice as likely as women to die from overdose, and people aged between 35 and 54 were most at risk.

Mr Christoforou said overdose prevention centres are proven to work.

“Overdose prevention centres are evidence-based initiatives which reduce harm, provide referral to health and welfare services and reduce stigma towards substance use and dependence.”

“These centres should be built into existing health infrastructure where there is a level of intravenous substance use.”

“Together with a number of regions, Geelong would benefit from an overdose prevention centre.”

The Surf Coast recorded one overdose death in 2022 and none were recorded in the Borough of Queenscliffe.

Across the state heroin related fatal overdoses were the highest since 2000 an increase of more than 33 per cent from 2021.

Geelong resident, Debbie Brady launched a petition in late September, for a medically supervised injecting room that has since amassed over 5,500 signatures.

Earlier this year, Ms Brady’s son, Jye, overdosed on heroin.

At the time, he was visiting a local community health centre to access the needle exchange program.

“He lay there for potentially two to three hours in the community centre, in a disability toilet that had no alarm button,” Ms Brady said.

Ms Brady believes an overdose prevention centre could have saved her son’s life.

Mr Christoforou says the data reveals a broken a system in need of urgent reform.

“Implementing programs like overdose prevention centres and drug checking, as well as expanding the medications available on opioid pharmacotherapy would go some way in reducing these harms.”

Victorian State Coroner Judge John Cain said overdose deaths remain a concerning public health issue.

“Through coronial data we can contribute to this understanding – providing vital insight into ongoing and emerging drug-related harms and how best to save lives,” he said.