AN INCREASING number of Brimbank residents are risking serious health problems by mixing alcohol with legal and illegal drugs, according to health experts.
Research released last week shows an increase in alcohol-related ambulance callouts in Brimbank and a large rise in attendances related to crystal methamphetamine use.
The damning statistics were revealed in a report compiled by Turning Point Alcohol & Drug Centre, an organisation established in 1994 to provide leadership and research to promote change to policies surrounding substance abuse.
The report was undertaken by Turning Point in conjunction with Ambulance Victoria and funded by the state Health Department.
Researcher Dr Belinda Lloyd said the sharp rise in callouts linked with use of crystal meth was a major concern.
“An increasing trend in the use of other drugs in combination with crystal methamphetamine also represents an increasing risk of serious harm,” Dr Lloyd said.
Ambulance Victoria chief executive Greg Sassella said paramedics had responded to the increasing use of psychostimulants such as crystal meth by introducing new treatments.
Victorian paramedics had led the way in the treatment of drug-affected patients.
“Any delay in calling an ambulance for any drug overdose can cost lives. Our role is to save lives, not make judgments.”
Dr Lloyd said many people were still unaware of the risks of combining alcohol with prescription drugs.
“Alcohol consumption in combination with pharmaceutical drug use causes a significant amount of harm and is a serious issue in communities in the west,” she said.
“People need to be aware of the side-effects of any medication they are taking and talk with their doctor about whether it is safe to consume alcohol while on the drugs and if they are taking other forms of medication.
“People need to be more cautious while using medication and work out other ways to enjoy themselves without ending up in hospital.”
Turning Point’s head of clinical services, Dr Matthew Frei, said there was a need to look at more innovative ways to treat psychostimulant use.
“We have good outcomes for medical treatment for drugs like heroin in terms of reducing cravings and substitution drugs, but we struggle in providing treatment options for users of psychostimulants,” Dr Frei said.
“We are good at responding to acute representations, but we need to grow in our ability to provide long-term treatment to help users gain skills to use drugs like methamphetamines less and stop using them altogether.”
