WODONGA had one of the highest ambulance call-out rates in regional Victoria for heroin-related cases last year, but it is alcohol abuse that is proving the most challenging issue for ambulance officers in our region.
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There were 88 alcohol-related call-outs for 2012-13, up from 65 the previous year, while drug-related call-outs were down by only 12 to 91 cases.
One drug policy organisation chief, John Ryan, of the Penington Institute, said the figures suggested the overall alcohol and drug toll was rising in the North East, with overdose rates on the rise for alcohol, crystal meth and pharmaceutical opioids.
Mr Ryan called for the introduction of a prevention and education strategy to inform people of the overdose risk, particularly among those who abuse more than one substance.
Wodonga is not alone with its rise in alcohol-related call-outs; in Wangaratta that figure rose from 46 cases in 2011-12 to 80 in 2012-13.
Mr Ryan also noted the community awareness program highlighting the crystal methamphetamine risk and flagged in this week’s Victorian budget must be factual rather than scaremongering if it was to have an effect.
