Australia's record drug deaths prompt calls for safe-injection facilities in ACT
Australia recorded its highest ever drug-induced deaths in 2024; Sydney's supervised injecting facility has managed 12,000 overdoses with zero on-site deaths.
Australia hit a record number of drug-induced deaths in 2024, with 29 unintentional overdose deaths linked to the ACT. Drug-induced deaths are now among the top causes of death for Australians in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to the Penington Institute.
One major support service says safe-injecting facilities could help. Sydney's supervised injecting facility, run by Uniting NSW.ACT, has managed more than 12,000 overdoses without a single death occurring on site.
Chris Gough, executive director of the Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation and Advocacy, says stigma drives drug users away from health services. Advocates argue that if harm reduction services are available when people need them, preventable deaths can be stopped.
- 29 unintentional overdose deaths in 2024
- Record deaths linked to ACT
- 12,000+ with zero on-site deaths
- Sydney facility overdoses managed
- Uniting NSW.ACT
- Facility operator
Why it mattersDrug overdose is now a leading cause of death for young Australians; access to supervised facilities could prevent avoidable deaths.
AustraliaThe ACT support sector is pushing for supervised injecting facilities similar to Sydney's to reduce overdose deaths in the territory.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
