More South Australians dying of overdose than on roads

New data released today by Penington Institute has revealed that 85 South Australians have died of overdose in 2018, five more than the road toll in the same year.

Despite Australia's Annual Overdose Report 2020 revealing that the number of unintentional overdose deaths declined in South Australia from 124 in 2017 to 85 in 2018, South Australia continues to face challenges on multiple fronts.

When comparing the five-year periods 2004-08 with 2014-18, the long-term picture of overdose in the state continues to be a major cause of concern.

The rate of unintentional overdose deaths involving stimulants increased by 2.5 times over this period reaching 81 deaths involving stimulants in the five years to 2018.

This is supported by the most recent Wastewater Drug Monitoring survey, which found an approximate fourfold increase in methylamphetamine (more commonly known as ice) use between 2009 and 2016 and that the mean consumption of methylamphetamine in Adelaide remains higher than in any other capital city.

From the five-year period 2004-08 to the most recent five period 2014-18, unintentional overdose deaths in South Australia involving heroin increased by 80 per cent from 40 to 72.

Meanwhile, deaths involving pharmaceutical opioids such as oxycodone, the drug most often cited as contributing to the first wave of the devastating opioid crisis in North America, increased by 47 per cent over the same time period from 85 to 125.

Overall, Australia's Annual Overdose Report 2020 paints a troubling picture of overdose in South Australia, where one year of progress has come despite a long-term deterioration – suggesting further challenges on the horizon, especially as the health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic becomes clear in the years to come.

As stated by Mr John Ryan, CEO of Penington Institute:

"As Australia's Annual Overdose Report 2020 makes clear, South Australia continues to face real challenges when it comes to drug use and overdose."

"Our society faced down the challenge of reducing the road toll with a monumental collective effort. We educated people about the risks, implemented reasonable safety regulations, and crucially we made the investments we needed."

"Compare that effort, and the progress that's been made, to our relative lack of response when it comes to overdose. The end result is that we now have more South Australians dying of overdose than on the roads."

"Being included in the Commonwealth Take Home Naloxone pilot is encouraging but we know that more needs to be done to combat the harms of drugs, especially regarding drugs other than opioids."

"The other factor which contributes to drug-related harms is the pervasive stigma and shame which surrounds this issue. People don't talk enough about drug use and as a result there is a lack of community understanding about it and the risks."

"Overdose is Australia's hidden health crisis. By releasing this Report, we're looking to start a conversation and bring it out of the shadows."

"Penington Institute is releasing this year's Annual Overdose Report on International Overdose Awareness Day, the world's largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those who have died without stigma and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind."

"International Overdose Awareness Day was first observed in Melbourne in 2001. This year is the 20^th IOAD and it is being recognised with events around the world, including Adelaide Town Hall being lit purple in support of the campaign."

Glossary

About Penington Institute

Penington Institute connects lived experience and research to improve community safety in relation to drugs, including alcohol and pharmaceuticals.

http://www.penington.org.au/

https://www.overdoseday.com/