The prevalence and selected characteristics of non-fatal opioid overdoses attended by ambulance in Australia

Key Points
1. Ambulance attendance at non-fatal opioid overdose is a common event in mainland Australia (among heroin users in particular).
2. The monthly rate of non-fatal opioid overdose attended by ambulance was generally highest in Victoria (Melbourne) followed by NSW with the rates substantially lower in the remaining mainland states over the period Jan  1999 - Feb 2001.
3. Non-fatal opioid overdose victims were most likely to be male in all states with the proportion of males highest in Victoria (77%).
4. Non-fatal opioid overdose victims were aged around 28 years with ages lowest in WA (26) and highest in NSW (30).
5. The rates of transportation varied according to ambulance service practice across the states with around 94% of cases transported in WA and around 19% and 30% of cases transported in Melbourne and NSW respectively.