Pubdate: Thu, 15 Feb 2001
Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 Canberra Times
Contact:  9 Pirie Street , Fyshwick, Canberra, ACT 2609
Fax: 02 6280 2282
Website: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

STUDY REVEALS OVERDOSE FIGURES

More than half of all heroin injectors in Australia have over-dosed, a new 
study revealed yesterday. Heroin overdoses had more than doubled since 
1990, the Australian Institute of Criminology study said. It also reported 
that:

* More than a third of all heroin users overdosed in 1999-2000.

* In 1998 alone, 737 Australians between 15 and 44 years died from opiate 
overdoses.

* In 1998 more than 180,000 people saw at least one heroin overdose.

It found as many as one third of those witnesses did not seek medical help 
for the person overdosing.

AIC director Adam Graycar said heroin users were encouraged never to inject 
alone, so that if they overdosed medical assistance could he sought.
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