By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
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A rise in ambulance call-outs for substance abuse has prompted a researcher to warn on increased use of drugs such as crystal methamphetamine.
Belinda Lloyd, of the Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre, found 20 ambulance call-outs involving the substance in Greater Dandenong and Casey in 2010-11. There were less than five call-outs in either municipality in 2009-10.
Across Melbourne, crystal meth (or ‘ice’) users were taken to hospital by ambulance on 228 occasions, up from 110 the previous 12 months.
“This may not necessarily be due to increasing use. It may be due to the level of purity, it may be due to a change in the way people are using that particular substance,” Dr Lloyd said.
“An increasing trend in the use of other drugs in combination with crystal methamphetamine also represents an increasing risk of serious harm.”
Turning Point clinical services director Matthew Frei said the results of such combinations caused unpredictable effects.
“They may become suspicious to the point of being combative with emergency workers. It’s increasingly difficult for emergency staff to manage.”
Ice increases energy and alertness and keeps users awake for long periods. The downside associated with heavy doses is severe paranoia. In the most drastic cases, users become psychotic or might suffer heart problems or strokes.
“No one knows for sure what the long-term effects are,” Dr Frei said. “There’s a belief that it may have irreversible effects on brain chemistry.”
Alcohol, a dominant substance of abuse, was the reason for 615 ambulance call-outs in Greater Dandenong and Casey in 2010-11.
Dr Lloyd said there was also a trend towards call-outs for people taking combinations of alcohol and pharmaceutical substances such as sleeping pills, oxycodone and morphine.
Warren Eames, community programs manager at Youth Support and Advocacy Service’s Dandenong branch, said amphetamine use caused a host of problems for young people but there had been no notable spike among YSAS’s 12-21 year old clients.
The service targets young people who have issues with alcohol and substances.
“The nature of amphetamines means people can make bad decisions and act chaotically, which is when it can affect their relationships with their peer group,” Mr Eames said.
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