Bass Coast Health (BCH) is reminding the community they can help to save lives by supporting people impacted by drug addiction.
The theme of International Overdose Awareness Day on 31 August is ‘One Big Family’, reminding us that overdose doesn’t just affect individuals and their loved ones, but ripples across entire communities.
“Overdose doesn’t just shatter families; it fractures communities. The losses go deeper than one person, one family or one neighbourhood,” BCH’s Team Leader of Alcohol and Other Drugs Services, Deb Guy, said.
“We often instinctively protect our own – our children, our parents, our siblings. We believe in second chances for our loved ones but struggle to extend that same compassion to others. But what if we saw each other as one big family, bound by shared experiences, responsibility and commitment to each other?
“This International Overdose Awareness Day, let’s imagine a new meaning of what family can be. A family driven by hope, love and action. We are one big family – not just because we share in the pain of loss, but because we share in the power to change what comes next.”
A new report from the Coroners Court of Victoria shows that the state recorded its highest number of fatal overdoses in a decade in 2024.
A significant finding in the 2024 data was the continuing rise of illegal drug involvement in Victorian overdose deaths. Ten years ago, illegal drugs contributed to just under half of Victorian overdose deaths.
In 2024, the five top contributing drugs to Victorian overdose deaths were heroin (248 deaths), diazepam (219 deaths), methamphetamine (215 deaths), alcohol (141 deaths) and pregabalin (92 deaths).
The annual number of methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths in Victoria more than tripled between 2015 (76 deaths) and 2024 (215 deaths). There was a 30 per cent jump in methamphetamine-involved overdose deaths between 2023 (164 deaths) and 2024. In 2024, heroin-involved overdose deaths increased with 248 deaths, compared to 204 in 2023.
Most Victorian overdose deaths across the decade were accidental or unintentional (74.5 per cent) rather than suicides (19.3 per cent) or deaths where the deceased’s intent could not be determined (6.2 per cent). Frequently overdose occurs due to a combination of prescribed medications used with alcohol.
BCH’s Alcohol and other Drug Services can offer advice to family members of a loved one that is using prescribed medications or illicit drugs who could be at risk of overdose.
To access BCH Alcohol and other Drug Services, call the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) on 1300 022 760 or for Family Support contact BCH Access team on 5671 3175.
BCH is raising awareness of the life-saving supports available for people impacted by alcohol and other drugs:
• Naloxone access – Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Nixoid spray is available free and without prescription at participating pharmacies.
• Alcohol and Other Drug Counselling Team – offering confidential, compassionate support from Wonthaggi Hospital and the Phillip Island Community Hospital at Cowes. Services include counselling, care and recovery support, facilitating referrals to residential detox facilities and family support.