ALCOHOL is still the main poison of choice for locals, followed by cannabis and prescription drugs, new ambulance call out data has revealed.
According to the latest report from Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, paramedics were called to more than 12,480 alcohol related incidents across Victoria in 2013 and 14.
On a local level, the most common substance related call outs were for alcohol, followed by cannabis, benzodiazepines (common drugs include Xanax, valium and temazepam), anti-depressants, opioid painkillers (codeine, oxycodone and morphine), painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen) and amphetamines.
The study notes that alcohol related incidences have increased heavily in the male proportion of the data, as well as co-attendances of police in these issues.
Senior Sergeant Gary Hughes of the Swan Hill police agrees that alcohol abuse is a major problem in the community.
“We’re finding the majority of people affected by alcohol or drugs are coming into the CBD after consuming or using at residential locations,” he said.
The study also notes that regionally there has been a 27 percent increase in ice-related call outs since the initial increase of 198 percent in the 2011-2013 period.
Turning Point’s head of Research and Workforce Development, associate professor Belinda Lloyd, said the increase in ice-related ambulance attendances was worrying, although this year’s increase was less than recent times.
