Bunbury drug deaths on the rise

Australia’s “hidden health crisis” has been exposed in a new report as WA records an all-time record of drug overdose deaths, with Bunbury named as the regional city with the second highest number of deaths in the State. The latest data from the Penington Institute’s Annual Overdose Report has revealed WA boasts the highest number of unintentional drug overdose deaths in Australia, and in the regions Bunbury trails behind only Mandurah. Penington Institute chief executive John Ryan said the number of deaths recorded in Bunbury was “unacceptably high”. “In the five years between 2014 and 2018, there were 44 unintentional overdose deaths in Bunbury ... and it’s 44 too many,” he said. Between 2004 and 2008, Bunbury saw 16 drug overdose deaths, which jumped to 31 in 2009 to 2013 and most recently 44. Mr Ryan said people were suffering and dying unnecessarily, with the government and society failing to keep them safe. “We’re looking to start a conversation, bring overdose out of the shadows and ultimately reduce harms.” Residents of rural and regional WA were found to die at higher rates than people in Greater Perth, statistics Mr Ryan said were very concerning. Bunbury Local Drug Action Group convenor Lozz Williams said the statistics were heartbreaking, even more so if the pattern continued to rise. “A lack of people accessing required services such as alcohol and other drug networks and mental health support could have contributed to the increase in figures over the years,” Ms Williams said. South West Community Alcohol and Drug Service manager Trudi Ruane said demand for alcohol and other drug support services has been growing. “It’s likely that this growth will continue as the impacts of COVID-19 unfold,” she said. “Over the past few months alone we’ve seen increasing demand for our services in the South West.” The alarming statistics had both Ms Ruane and Ms Williams encouraging those in need to reach out to services such as SWCADS, Doors Wide Open and Bunbury LDAG.