The current management of illicit drug overdose primarily involves meticulous supportive care in a hospital environment.

4,8 There is yet to be a report of death directly caused by cannabis overdose, 4 although it accounts for the third highest illicit drug related hospitalisation rate after heroin and amphetamines. 7 Cocaine accounted for around 10 deaths in 2005, with mechanism of harm similar to that caused by amphetamines. 2 The extent of harm from MDMA has not been fully elucidated, however a National Coronial Information System review identified a total of 82 MDMA related deaths between 20, of which, 67 were directly attributed to the drug. There were 26 deaths attributable to amphetamines in Australia in 2005. An increasing trend of intravenous amphetamine use has added the possible complication of blood borne virus transmission.

Acute harm from amphetamine overdose is associated with delirium, psychosis and cardiovascular side effects. 6Īmphetamines have the second highest mortality rate of the illicit substances. HIV infection, viral hepatitis) and suicide. 2 The majority of deaths were due to overdose, followed by associated diseases (eg. Heroin and related opiates are responsible for the highest mortality rate, despite their relatively low prevalence. Males are more likely to have tried illicit drugs across all age groups, and have a higher rate of hospitalisation. 5 A likely explanation is that these older users are often more entrenched in drug use. 4 This broadly correlates with drug overdose associated harm, as hospitalisation rates are highest in the 20–29 years age group although for cocaine, cannabis and heroin, rates are also high in the 30–39 years age group. 2 In fact, cannabis use has increased (9.1% in 2007 to 10.3% in 2010), while a reduction in MDMA use (3.5% in 2007 to 3.0% in 2010) may be due to reduced supply.įor all the drugs mentioned above, use is most prevalent among young adults aged 20–29 years. 2,3 This study underlines the fact that there has not been any significant reduction in the prevalence of illicit drug use within the past decade. The prevalence of heroin use was less than 1.0%.

3 Of these, cannabis use was most widespread, with a prevalence of 10.3%, followed by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy 3.0%) and methamphetamine and cocaine (2.1%). Epidemiology of use and harmĪ 2010 survey showed that nearly 40% of Australians over 14 years of age had used an illicit substance in their lifetime, and 15% had used within the past 12 months.

While the majority of acute poisoning is treated in the hospital setting, general practitioners play an important role in the diagnosis and subsequent management of illicit substance use. This article seeks to review the current trends in illicit drug overdose in Australia, and outline the recommended management strategies for acute poisoning.

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