Trends in alcohol and drug-related ambulance attendances in Victoria 2013/14

New research has revealed ice-related ambulance attendances in Victoria continue to rise. Summary According to Turning Point’s latest Alcohol and Drug-Related Ambulance Attendances Report, regional Victoria continues to increase at a rate higher that metropolitan Melbourne. In regional Victoria, there has been a 27 per cent increase in ice-related ambulance attendances, with 295 ice-related ambulance attendances in regional Victoria in 2013-14, compared to 231 in 2012-13. In metropolitan Melbourne, there has been a ten percent increase, with 1237 ice-related ambulance attendances in 2013-14, up from 1116 in 2012-13. “I am incredibly concerned that drug and alcohol incidents requiring ambulance attendances continues to rise,” Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Jill Hennessy, said.“Too many people are putting their lives at risk, and the nature of some drugs can mean they show aggression and act violently against paramedics, nurses and doctors who are trying to help them.” Turning Point’s Head of Research and Workforce Development Associate Professor Belinda Lloyd said the increase in ice-related ambulance attendances continued a worrying upwards trend over the past several years, although this year’s increase was less than recent times. Between 2011-12 and 2012-13, there was a 198 per cent increase in ice-related call outs in regional Victoria, while in metropolitan Melbourne there was an 88 per cent increase.