More than 100 people have died from drug overdoses in Brimbank in the past seven years.
In a submision to the Parliamentary drug law reform committee, state coroner Sara Hinchey has recommended more long-term treatment beds, better education and the monitoring of prescription drug use to try to stem the tide.
Statistics on the number of Victorians who’ve died from drug overdoses since 2009 show Brimbank had the fifth highest tally of drug deaths of any Victorian municipality, with 116 deaths since 2009.
But it is on the improve – there were 13 deaths from overdoses in 2016 compared with 17 in each of the preceding two years, and 19 in 2013.
In her submission Ms Hinchey urged for safe drug injecting rooms in Richmond, which recorded the most overdose deaths in the state.
But Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association chief executive Sam Biondo said more local solutions are needed for different areas.
He said, given the large youth population in growth suburbs, particularly in the west, early warning signs of potential dangers need to be heeded.
“[There is] need for improved harm reduction … the need for treatment access, youth-focused activities and communicating harm reduction messaging,” Mr Biondo said.
While overdose deaths in inner Melbourne are a huge concern, Mr Biondo said he is worried drug problems in outer suburbs and regional areas will worsen because these areas are isolated from services.
“If you’ve got high levels of young people dispersed over wide spaces, you’d think there’d be the capacity to put in additional outreach youth workers and mobile services.”
