← SBS News In Depth
A spike in drug overdose deaths sparks calls for more action artwork

A spike in drug overdose deaths sparks calls for more action

SBS News In Depth
05:26
Play episode

Show notes

Australia is losing one person to a drug overdose every three and a half hours. New figures from the Penington Institute show more than 2,500 Australians died from drug-induced causes in a single year, the deadliest year on record. CEO John Ryan says the toll is now almost double the national road toll, and frontline workers warn the illicit drug market is becoming more unpredictable, with addiction affecting people from all walks of life.

More from this show

More
  1. Cape York's housing crisis: 11 years waiting for a home

    Cape York's housing crisis is worsening, with fears climate migration could put further pressure on First Nations communities. Cape York resident Rebecca Williams spent 11 years o…

    06:02
  2. US midterms: The battle that could derail Trump's presidency

    Donald Trump isn't on the ballot in the US midterm elections, but the stakes for his presidency are enormous. We look at the battlegrounds that could decide control of Congress and…

    07:51
  3. Is AI making us dumber? We asked smart people

    As people outsource an increasing number of cognitive tasks to AI models, high-profile studies are revealing a link to a decline in brain function. So what do we do about it? Conc…

    08:09
  4. Could One Nation sway migrant voters in Victoria?

    Polling ahead of this November's Victorian state election shows a surge in support for One Nation. But the data suggests that some of their rising support has come from a surprisin…

    09:27
  5. Why Black Friday bargains could be bigger this year

    Slowing retail sales could mean bigger Black Friday discounts this year, as shoppers face renewed interest rate pressures. Slowing retail sales and cost-of-living pressures could…

    11:20
  6. Diwali explained: The traditions behind the Festival of Lights

    Why are millions celebrating Diwali, and what's behind the lights, sweets and colourful traditions? Discover the meaning of the Festival of Lights and how it's celebrated across Au…

    07:51
Now Playing
A spike in drug overdose deaths sparks calls for more action — SBS News In Depth | Podcast | Josplay Music