Ambulance Callout For Drugs
Ambulance callouts for illicit drug emergencies for 2009/10 in Victoria amounted to more than 4000 incidents.
Illicit drug callouts involved were-
| Heroin | 2033 |
| Cannabis | 887 |
| ICE | 137 |
| Amphetamines | 311 |
| GHB | 376 |
| Ecstasy | 343 |
| Cocaine | 90 |
The substantial majority of drug affected persons were males.
Drug affected persons had an average age in their twenties.
Ambulance callouts showed an increase over the previous year.
Many incidents involve multiple drug use of both legal and illicit drugs.
(Source: Melbourne Herald Sun 15 August 2011)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
These statistics would be similar for all states and territories throughout Australia.
Ambulance callouts for drug use are costly and unnecessary being totally preventable by reducing the drug using population.
Drug deaths and harm is dependant on the skills and speed of ambulance staff who are involved.
When taken to emergency departments of hospitals drug users are clearly identified.
Identified illicit drug users should be directed into court supervised drug rehabilitation that gets users off drugs quickly and permanently.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
28/2011
