New data shows a jump in older people dying from drug overdoses

By Suzanne Nielsen, Professor and Deputy Director, Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University
Tina Lam, Senior Research Fellow at the Monash Addiction Research Centre, Monash University

When we talk about drug overdose deaths, many of us imagine a problem that affects young people.

But new data from Australia’s Annual Overdose Report, published on Sunday, reveals a significant jump in the number of older adults dying from an overdose, compared to two decades ago.

Since 2001, unintentional overdose deaths have declined by about one-third among people under 30. But deaths in those aged 50–59 have increased three-fold. Among 60–69 year olds, deaths have nearly…

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