The number of Australians dying from unintentional drug overdoses has increased dramatically in the last ten years, according to a new report. Australia's Annual Overdose report finding people are as likely to overdose from illegal drugs as they are legal.
The report examines the types of drugs people are overdosing on and how they have changed over time.
Over the last five years the use of stimulant drugs like methamphetamine and ecstasy, better known as M-D-M-A, has tripled.
Deaths involving depressants - illicit opioids like heroin and benzodiazepines - have doubled.
Interestingly while many associate drug use with young people, Australians aged between 30 and 59 had the highest rate of drug deaths.
In 2017, 30-59 year olds accounting for over 71 per cent of overdoses, while under 30's made up just over 9 per cent.
Since 2008, more than twice as many Australians have died from drugs than in car accidents, with over 14,000 having lost their lives.
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