Deaths from ice soar

THE number of deaths in Australian from 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.

The Mercury reported last month Tasmanians were grappling with addiction to ice at an alarming rate.

Data from leading counselling service Holyoake in Hobart shows ice is the No.1 illicit drug of concern, overtaking cannabis for the first time.

In the 12 months to April, 32 per cent of Holyoake clients cited ice as their primary reason for seeking help.

It is the first time ice has surpassed cannabis (31 per cent).

Professor Darke said he had heard said the methamphetamine problem was overstated.

“But I think this many identified cases over seven years shows we have a major problem,” he said.

On average, each death rep- resented 44 years of lost individual life, he 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 popular 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 common causes of death, he said.

Projections indicate there are about 300,000 regular users of meth across the country.

Tests conducted on wastewater last week (to determine prevalence of drug use) by the Australian Crime and Intelligence Commission showed South Australia and Western Australia were home to the nation’s biggest meth users.

Almost half of those occurred in regional or rural locations and a large number of users were gainfully employed when they died.

However, TasWater was accused of not providing sewage samples for the program. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Alcohol and Drug Foundation on 1300 858 584.