Alcohol and other drug-related ambulance attendances

Data on alcohol and other drug-related ambulance attendances are sourced from the National Ambulance Surveillance System (NASS). Data availability between 2015 and 2021 varies between jurisdictions. Where data are available, they are reported for 4 snapshot months per year, specifically March, June, September and December. Please see the data quality statement for further information.

The following data visualisation shows ambulance attendance rates and numbers by selected drugs and months, by state/territory, 2015 to 2021 (where data are available).

  • The highest number (and rate) of ambulance attendances, across all reporting jurisdictions and years, were alcohol intoxication-related.
  • Ambulance attendance rates were considerably lower for all other drugs reported (AMBO1).

Figure AMBO1: Ambulance attendances, by selected drugs, months and states and territories, 2015–2021

This figure shows that the highest proportion of ambulance attendances in NSW between 2015 and 2021 were due to alcohol, peaking at 3,524 attendances in December 2020. The numbers fluctuate between the selected months of March, June, September and December across each year. A filter allows the user to select other states and territories in a drop down menu.