There's been an alarming rise in the number of unintentional overdose deaths in Wollongong over the past 15 years, according to a new report.
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The Penington Institute report, released on Monday, revealed that 62 Wollongong residents died of unintentional overdoses in the five years between 2014 and 2018.
That was 20 more deaths than recorded in the five years between 2009 and 2013, representing an almost 50 per cent increase.
And the most recent figures are almost double the 32 deaths which were recorded in Wollongong from 2004 to 2008.
Penington Institute CEO John Ryan said the number was "unacceptably high".
"It's 62 too many," he said. "The data is clear - the overdose situation in Wollongong is worsening.
"People are suffering and dying unnecessarily and all levels of government and society are not doing enough to keep them safe."
The Annual Overdose Report 2020 report revealed that there were 2070 drug-induced deaths in Australia in 2018 - of those, 1556 were unintentional.
Meantime in NSW, 524 residents lost their lives to unintentional overdoses in 2018 - the equivalent of approximately one person dying every 18 hours.
And contrary to other states where illicit drugs like heroin and ice are most often implicated in overdose deaths, it is pharmaceutical opioids and benzodiazepines which are driving overdose deaths in NSW.
The report found benzodiazepines, commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia, were the drug type most often detected in unintentional overdose deaths in NSW, with 198 deaths in 2018 alone.
Mr Ryan said the statistics revealed "Australia's hidden health crisis".
"By releasing this report with the most up-to-date data, we're looking to start a conversation, bring overdose out of the shadows and ultimately reduce harms," he said.
In light of the figures, the Penington Institute is calling on the Commonwealth government to commit to a National Overdose Prevention Strategy.
The release of the report coincides with International Overdose Awareness Day, which aims to end overdose, remember those who have died without stigma and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.
The awareness day was first observed in Melbourne in 2001, and in its 20th year the campaign is being recognised with events around the world.
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