Deaths from opiates, psychostimulants and benzodiazepines
Data table
View data tableNote
Deaths were classified using ICD-10. Rates were age-adjusted using the Australian population as at 30 June 2001. Numbers for 2006 include an estimate of the small numbers of deaths that were registered in 2007, data for which were unavailable at the time of production.
Source
ABS mortality data and population estimates (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
Commentary
The report, The burden of disease and injury in Australia, 2003 shows that illicit drugs were responsible for 2% of the total burden of disease in Australia in 2003; that the burden of disease from illicit drugs is highest in early adulthood (when addiction usually begins) and accounted for 5.7% of total disease burden in those aged 0-44 years in males (second only to alcohol) and 2.4% of total disease burden in females in this age group; that the contribution to the burden of disease from illicit drugs is dominated by mortality and morbidity from heroin in early adulthood, but is overtaken by contributions from hepatitis B and C with increasing age as the long-term effects of drug usage begin to manifest (Begg et al, 2007).
Opiate deaths represent a large proportion of illicit drug deaths in Australia, and opiate deaths from heroin, morphine or methadone are a source of public concern. Most opioid deaths are from heroin (Barker and Degenhardt, 2003).
Opiate overdose deaths peaked in NSW in 1999, and have declined in each year following. In late 2000 there was a heroin shortage in Sydney and other Australian capital cities. Heroin remained accessible in 2005, although there was some suggestion of a decrease in availability by 2006 (Black et al 2007). In 2006, there were 132 opiate-related deaths in NSW (73% in males and 58% in those aged 15-44 years).
Benzodiazepines are a prescribed medication and are not illegal, however, they have been included in reporting because of their high potential for harm among injecting drug users. Psychostimulants include cocaine and amphetamines. Between 1997 and 2006, deaths associated with benzodiazepines and psychostimulants have remained fairly stable. In 2006, there were 54 deaths associated with benzodiazepines (73% in males and 54% in those aged 15-44 years); and 28 deaths associated with psychostimulants (75% in males and 89% in those aged 15-44 years). The disease coding system (International Classification of diseases version 10 or ICD-10), which has been used from 1999, allows for deaths where opiates may be one of a number of contributing factors to be included (Jauncey et al., 2005).
The NSW Health Drug and Alcohol Plan 2006 - 2010 outlines the NSW Government's commitment to reduce the problems caused by drug and alcohol use. The plan details priority areas that have been identified for future action, including: prevention; brief and early intervention; and treatment and extended care (NSW Health, 2007).
For more information
Begg S, Vos T, Barker B. et al. The burden of disease and injury in Australia, 2003. PHE 82. Canberra: AIHW, 2007. Available at www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10317
Barker B, Degenhardt L. Accidental drug-induced deaths in Australia, 1997-2001. NDARC Technical Report no. 165. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, 2003.
Jauncey M, Taylor T, Degenhardt L. The definition of opioid-related deaths in Australia: implications for surveillance. Drug and Alcohol Review 24 (5): 401-409, 2005.
NSW Department of Health. NSW Health Drug and alcohol plan 2006 - 2010. Sydney: NSW Department of Health, 2007. Available at www.health.nsw.gov.au/pubs/2007/drug_alcohol_plan.html
Print version with data
Although this page can be printed directly from your Web browser, a higher quality version of this entire page (graph, table and text) is available as an Acrobat PDF file which can be printed or viewed on screen using free software.
Downloadable files
The data contained in the table on this page are available for download as a CSV file which can be imported into many software packages. The graph is available for download as an EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) file and as an EMF (Enhanced Metafile Format) file. Files in these formats can be imported into most word processing, presentation and graphics software packages.
Copyright notice
This work is copyright NSW Department of Health, 2006. It may be reproduced in whole or in part, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. Commercial usage or sale is prohibited.
Suggested citation
Population Health Division. The health of the people of New South Wales - Report of the Chief Health Officer. Sydney: NSW Department of Health. Available at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/chorep/. Accessed (insert date of access).
Produced by
Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on 18 December 2008
