Victorian drug overdose deaths hit decade high, with midlife adults most affected

Victoria recorded its highest number of fatal drug overdoses in a decade last year, with people aged 35 to 54 most at risk, new data reveals.

Figures released by the Coroners Court of Victoria show 584 people died from overdoses in 2024 - up from 547 in 2023. Illegal drugs were the leading contributor.

While the state's per capita overdose death rate has stayed relatively steady at around 8.1 per 100,000 people since 2015, the share involving illicit substances has grown sharply. These include heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine and GHB, which were linked to 65% of all fatal overdoses in 2024. That's a jump from 49% in 2015.

State coroner John Cain described the findings as "a stark reminder" of the need to strengthen harm reduction measures.

The report categorised overdose deaths into three main causes - illegal drugs, pharmaceuticals, and alcohol. Pharmaceutical drugs were involved in 69% of deaths last year, but their share has gradually declined over the past decade, partly due to tighter prescribing rules. Alcohol's role remained steady at 24%.

Between 2015 and 2024, 5,268 Victorians died from overdoses, most from combined drug toxicity. In 2024, the five substances most often linked to deaths were heroin (248), diazepam (219), methamphetamine (215), alcohol (141) and pregabalin (92).

Heroin and methamphetamine fatalities were highest in Melbourne's Yarra and City of Melbourne council areas. In regional Victoria, Greater Geelong saw a marked rise in deaths last year, with 35 recorded - nearly all involving heroin or methamphetamine.