Deaths from ice soaring

THE number of Australians killed as a result of methamphetamine use has doubled in six years, data shows.

Shane Darke, from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, described the findings, released today in the academic journal Addiction, as a public health crisis.

His team examined 1649 fatalities linked to the illicit drug between 2009 and 2015 and found a mortality rate up to six times greater than the general population.

“I hear it occasionally said that the extent of the methamphetamine problem has been overstated, but I think this many identified cases over seven years shows we have a major problem,” Professor Darke said.

There are different types of methamphetamine, generally distinguished by their appearance and purity, and the drug crystal meth — commonly known as ice — is the most prevalent among users.

Prof Darke found a “hidden danger” in meth-related deaths, in the form of damage to vital organs from even modest amounts of the drug.

In 22 per cent of cases, “natural” disease such as cardiac arrest or stroke were the cause of death, he said.

“Many users may be unaware heart disease is a major factor in methamphetaminerelated death,” he said.

Current projections indicate there are about 300,000 regular users of meth.

Popular perceptions centre on violence and while deaths from accident, misadventure and suicide are high, almost half of meth users perish from overdose.

“Basically, the person becomes unbearably hot and their temperature spikes. They have trouble breathing and they may fit,” Prof Darke said.

He fears the rates of death — which rose year-on-year until 2012 when they plateaued at dangerously high levels — will not improve without greater awareness.

“But there are long-term impacts, too,” he said.

“Even if everyone stopped using methamphetamines today, we’re looking at a number of individuals with serious damage to their hearts.”

Another troubling finding surrounded the 300 identified suicides in the data, he said.

“I’ve done research on suicide for many years and one thing that stood out, which I’ve never seen before . . . is the disinhibition, impulsivity, and aggression shown in these cases,” Prof Darke said.

While meth deaths skewed fairly young, there were no commonalities when it came to location or socio-economic status, he said.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the Alcohol and Drug Foundation on 1300 858 584 or visit adf.org.au