The alarming statistic was identified in the Penington Institute's Annual Overdose Report 2019 and found 65 people had unintentional drug-related deaths in Wollongong between 2013 and 2017.

That was compared to 28 deaths between 2003 and 2007.

Read more: Drug overdose deaths rising in the Illawarra: 2018 report

Nationwide data, sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, indicate the dramatic increase in Wollongong was driven by an increase in stimulant overdoses, mainly methamphetamine or "ice".

Accidental deaths from benzodiazepines, pharmaceutical opioids and heroin had also increased in 10 years.

For the first time, more unintentional overdose deaths were now attributed to the presence of four or more substances than only a single drug.

Penington Institute's deputy executive officer Dr Stephen McNally labelled Wollongong's figures "shocking" and said everyone needed to be worried about the data.

"The report shows overdose trends and which drugs cause the most harm," he said. "It is important the industry and governments are aware of the data.

"We have to ask 'what is being done by the state and federal governments in responding to drug overdoses?' More has to be done."

Dr McNally said the federal health minister Greg Hunt had announced measures to tackle "drug crisis" such as ways to reduce opioid overdoses, opioid replacement therapies and real-time prescription monitoring.

"For too long the government has focused on law enforcement and the data shows it is not working," he said.

"We are seeing an increase in overdoses.

"There needs to be greater investment in the health industry by providing more treatments, support and education about drugs and the risks of drug use."

He also said unintentional drug deaths were highest in the 30 to 59 age group across Australia.

Statistics in Dapto and Port Kembla showed 24 people died from overdose in 2003 to 2007 compared to 39 people between 2013 and 2017. That is a 63 per cent increase.

The situation was more dire in Kiama and Shellharbour which saw a 75 per cent increase from 16 in 2003 to 2007 up to 28 in 2013 and 2017.

The Illawarra is consistent with the rest of the state, which has seen the number of NSW residents residents dying from accidental overdoses hit an all-time high of 576 and they are among 1612 Australians across the country.

Penington Institute executive officer John Ryan said unless governments and other decision-makers around Australia woke up to the scale of this unfolding crisis, the institute predicted that by 2022 more than 1,900 Australians would die from unintentional overdoses every year.

"It's time to call this what it is-our very own overdose crisis. And NSW is by no means immune," he said.

"On average, a person in NSW dies every 15 hours because of an unintentional overdose. And across the board, they're dying in greater numbers and at higher rates.

"We must treat overdose deaths as preventable. We know what works in saving lives and reducing the harms from overdose deaths. We're just not doing enough of it."

The report was released ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day, which is observed on August 31.

Launched in 2014, the Penington Institute is a not-for-profit, Melbourne-based drug and alcohol organisation.