Meth-related deaths increase fourfold: report

There has been a fourfold increase in methamphetamine-related deaths in Australia during the last two decades, suggests a new report by the Burnet Institute, Monash University and Curtin University.

While there has been a decrease in people taking amphetamines over time, regular use among those who use methamphetamine, and among people who inject drugs, has risen significantly, the study found.

The most common cause of methamphetamine-related death in Australia was methamphetamine poisoning, said first author of the paper and Burnet PhD candidate Oisin Stronach.

The most significant rise in deaths was between 2009 and 2016, with unintentional drug toxicity leading to 49.8% deaths, followed by intentional self-harm at 23.3%, natural causes (9.6%) and assaults (2.3%) over the past two decades, according to the study.

“The sharp rise in methamphetamine poisoning deaths highlights the urgent need for effective medications to treat methamphetamine dependence and more harm reduction programs,” Stronach said.

Previous Australian research on methamphetamine-related deaths has been limited to shorter timeframes, or a single cause of death. This study extends earlier research by exploring trends nationally over 20 years from 2001 to 2020 to provide a comprehensive picture of methamphetamine-related deaths over time and by cause in Australia.

“Methamphetamine puts a strain on the heart and blood vessels by quickly raising heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems,” Stronach said.

“Research showed a large proportion of people who died from methamphetamine-related causes have pre-existing heart disease.”

The diverse nature of methamphetamine-related deaths highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates prevention, treatment and harm reduction, according to the authors. These can include access to safe injecting facilities, engaging with older people who use methamphetamine, more mental health support and pharmacotherapy options to treat dependency and withdrawal.

The report found that people who die from methamphetamine-related causes in Australia are disproportionately male, and deaths occur in metropolitan (major cities) and regional areas (outside major cities), and to a lesser extent in remote areas (furthest from major cities).

Between 2001 and 2011, drug toxicity deaths increased significantly, predominantly due to mixed drug toxicity. Heroin was found to be the most frequently involved substance in mixed drug toxicity deaths. There was also a notable increase in the involvement of antidepressants and benzodiazepines in these deaths over the period.

The study highlights the urgent need for greater accessibility of services that meet people where they are, such as supervised injecting facilities (SIFs) and drug consumption rooms (DCRs), the authors wrote. The increase in methamphetamine-related suicides signals a critical gap in mental health care for people living with mental health conditions who also use methamphetamine.

This study emphasises the complexities of methamphetamine-related mortality in Australia, and calls for a multi-layered response that links education, harm reduction, health screening, mental health care, and long-term healthcare support that transcends traditional drug treatment paradigms, the authors concluded.

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing distress please contact Lifeline 13 11 14 lifeline.org.au or SANE Australia 1800 187 263 sane.org/get-help. For free advice and support on issues related to drugs, please call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015.

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