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Opioid harm in Australia: and comparisons between Australia and Canada
Publication
Release Date:
Topic: Illicit use of drugs
Citation
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2018) Opioid harm in Australia: and comparisons between Australia and Canada, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 12 June 2026.
PDF | 7.6MB
Opioid use and its associated harms is an issue of great public health interest, both within Australia and internationally. This report shows that opioid harms are an issue in both Australia and Canada. Rates of opioid deaths and opioid poisoning hospitalisations in Australia increased in the last 10 years. In 2016, pharmaceutical opioids were involved in more opioid deaths and opioid poisoning hospitalisations than heroin.
- ISBN: 978-1-76054-436-2
- Cat. no: HSE 210
- Pages: 130
Findings from this report:
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The rate of opioid deaths rose by 62% from 2007 to 2016
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Between 2007–08 and 2016–17, there was a 25% rise in the rate of hospitalisations due to opioid poisoning
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Pharmaceutical opioids were more likely than heroin to be involved in opioid deaths and opioid hospitalisations
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In 2016–17 there were 5,112 ED presentations and 9,636 hospitalisations due to opioid poisoning