In Western Australia (WA) throughout the mid 1980s there was a cyclical pattern of opioid-related deaths, with between 15 and 25 opioid-related deaths per year.
However, a sharp increase in annual deaths occurred in 1994, which continued to grow and exceeded more than 100 deaths per year between 1998 and 2000, then decreased somewhat. This was both a serious local problem in WA, as well as elsewhere in Australia, and in this State resulted in major reforms in policies, resulted in reviews and inquiries and the development of broader treatment and preventive programs.
The following publications together provide a more detailed statistical examination of this epidemic of heroin-related problems, encompassing reports, treatment-related research, the development of educational resources and peer-led programs to develop and manage responses and services, covering this period.
Methadone treatment-related research
Swensen G. (1990)
Heroin addiction & treatment: A case study of the Western Australian methadone program, 1973 – 1989 (1990)
This was submitted in December 1990 as a thesis for the requirements of a MA in Public Policy at Murdoch University and is a case study history of methadone treatment in WA, covering the period when methadone treatment first became available in late 1973, to the end 1989.
Over this period methadone was initially prescribed in WA by a limited number of private practitioners who operated with little oversight or accountability.
However, because of over prescribing and extensive diversion this created a black market resulting abuse by those supplied with diverted methadone and overdoses, a system of publicly operated treatment was instituted to supplant and eventually severely restrict the operation of private prescribers.
Click here to view or download a PDF version [455k] of this study.
Heroin epidemics in a methadone treatment population
Swensen, G (1984)
Heroin epidemics surveyed in a methadone treatment population, Perth, Western Australia
This unpublished study reports of findings from a survey the first year of opiate (heroin) use of 1,100 participants in the West Australian methadone program from 1978 to 1984.
A major epidemic was found to have occurred with its peak in the mid-1970’s and there was evidence of a smaller epidemic having occurred in 1980
The study demonstrates that data gathered from participants in a methadone program at the time of their admission is a potentially practical, economical and effective method of surveying trends of heroin use in the community.
Click here to view or download a PDF version [1.4MB] of this report.
Statistical reports: 1995 – 2007
- Statistical Bulletin No. 2: Mortality caused by opioids, Western Australia, 1995 [74k]
- Statistical Bulletin No. 4: Opioid deaths, Western Australia, 1996 [55k]
- Statistical Bulletin No. 8: Accidental heroin related deaths, Western Australia, 1997-1998 [85k]
- Statistical Bulletin No. 15: Deaths caused by heroin and other illicit drugs, Western Australia, 1995-2001 [433k]
- Statistical Bulletin No. 32: Confirmed deaths caused by opioids, Western Australia, 1995 – 2004 [474k
- Statistical Bulletin No. 40: Overview of trends in opioid related mortality, Western Australia 1995 – 2007 & Australia 1988 – 2005 [474k]
Opiate overdoses: Policies and strategies
Davidson P. (1999)
Design and implementation of the OOPs Emergency Department project: Review to December 1998. Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services. [437k]
Drug and Alcohol Office. (2001)
Opiate overdose prevention strategy (OOPS) review. [718k]
Health Department of WA. (1997)
Heroin strategy. [347k]
Loxley, W & Davidson, P. (1998)
Forgetting to breathe – Opioid overdose & young injecting drug users in Perth. WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office. [315k]
WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office. (1999)
Opiate overdose peer based education postcards. [67k]
WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office. (1999)
Opiate overdose prevention strategy. [58k]
WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office. (2000)
Register of opiate overdose prevention projects in Australia. [93k]