Illegal drugs have fuelled an alarming rise in overdose deaths as one state records its highest number of fatalities in 10 years.
There were 584 fatal drug overdoses recorded in Victoria in 2024, the highest figure in a decade and up from the 460 deaths recorded in 2015, a report from state coroner reveals.
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A significant proportion of the 2024 overdose deaths involved illegal drugs.
Ten years ago, those drugs contributed to just under half of overdose deaths but that jumped to almost two-thirds in 2024.
"The concerning rise in overdose deaths and especially those involving illegal drugs is a stark reminder that we need to keep building on our harm reduction efforts," State Coroner John Cain said.
Illicit drug-linked overdose deaths involving heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine and GHB rose to 10-year highs.
