Ambulance callouts to crystal methamphetamine-related incidents in Brimbank have doubled over the past year.
According to new report Trends in Alcohol and Drug Related Ambulance Attendances in Victoria 2012-13 commissioned by Turning Point, there were 60 reports in 2012/13 compared to 27 the previous year.
Alcohol-related attendances jumped 55 per cent from 276 to 430 over the same period; cannabis increased 78 per cent from 38 to 68; all amphetamine attendances doubled from 35 to 74; there was a 35 per cent increase in benzodiapine, up from 107 to 145, and an increase in anti-depressants up 54 per cent from 37 to 54.
There were also increases in antipsychotic and opioid-related attendances.
However, there was a 27 per cent drop in heroin overdoses, down to 79 to 101, and a marginal drop in heroin-related incidents down from 178 to 166.
Turning Point experts have called for a united approach to tackle crystal methamphetamine in Victoria, with an 88 per cent increase in metropolitan Melbourne.
Turning Point researcher Dr Belinda Lloyd said the figures were of great concern, and an all-community approach was required to tackle the problem.
There was an 88 per cent increase in callouts for ice use across metropolitan Melbourne.
