Seven Australians are dying each day from drug overdose in worst year on record, researchers say - ABC News
Australia recorded its deadliest year on record for drug overdoses, according to a new analysis, with an average of seven deaths per day.
In a preview of the Penington Institute's annual overdose report, there were nearly 2,600 overdose fatalities in 2024.
For the first time ever, people in the 50-59 age group recorded the highest number of unintentional overdose deaths, up from 448 fatalities in 2023 to 533 in 2024.
"The majority of them are men, the majority of them are middle-aged," Scientia Professor Ritter said.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-16/australian-drug-overdose-deaths-hit-record-high/106797862Open linkView original on slrpnk.net
Opioids, stimulants and benzos top the list. I doubt the deaths listed due to cannabis, brings the results into question for me.
Yeah, that 210 deaths due to cannabanoids piqued my interest. No one has ever been known to overdose using marijuana. But, synthetic cannabinoids can kill people. I found this from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare:
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/contents/drug-types/cannabis
That states only 43 deaths for the same year. I would also guess that many, possibly all of them are due to multiple drugs.
For real. If an article states that someone OD'd from heroin and cannabis, I know what killed them.
As the article says. our govt is not investing enough in research, harm reduction and treatment as are needed. The community in general doesn't want to think about it either. As society becomes more economically and otherwise unstable we will lose increasing numbers to overdoses. Why are middle-aged men the biggest group losing their lives? This must be investigated for their sake and for the sake of families left behind.
This is terribly tragic.
we need to rethink how we help people with drug problems
we can start by asking drug users what they need to make their better and safer