Accidental drug overdose deaths in Newcastle have risen by 90 per cent in a decade, new research shows. Login or signup to continue reading The number of "unintentional overdose deaths" rose in Newcastle from 49 from 2008 to 2012, to 93 from 2018 to 2022. Newcastle was ranked second in the state and fourth in the country for the number of "unintentional overdose deaths".
The data was released on Sunday in Penington Institute's annual overdose report for 2024. Penington Institute CEO John Ryan said he was "tired of seeing overdose numbers in this country rise year upon year". "Each time we publish this report, it is so distressing to think of the increasing number of people and families consumed by this tragedy every year," Mr Ryan said.
He called on politicians to do something about this, instead of running "fear campaigns" in the pointless drug war . Newcastle-based pain management expert Fiona Hodson said "lack of access to specialist services" contributed to the area's high numbers. "Because of opioid restrictions, people are using other medications," Ms Hodson said.
"There's a significant increase in illicit substances and other medications for pain relief." Ms Hodson, who is Chronic Pain Australia's vice chair, said there was "limited access to affordable non-pharmacological services". "Some people can't afford the gap payment for physio or psychology," she said.
Newcastle recorded 171 "unintentional drug-induced deaths" from 2013 to 2022, ranking second in the state beh.