With 549 lives lost, Victoria recorded its worst year in a decade for drug overdose deaths during 2022, but the state government remains tight-lipped about the prospect of a Melbourne CBD safe injecting room.Multiple Victorian coroners have recommended the state launch a drug checking serviceOverdose deaths across Victoria increased by nearly 10 per cent in 2022, according to a new report from the Coroner's Court.
"Through coronial data we can contribute to this understanding, providing vital insight into ongoing and emerging drug-related harms and how best to save lives."The Coroner's Court report showed overdose deaths involving heroin increased by 33 per cent between 2021 and 2022, with lives lost increasing from 173 to 230.
Multiple state coroners have recommended the Victorian Department of Health create a drug-checking service to help users understand what they are taking.Recently appointed Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt said she did not want to "rush into" a decision about the proposed Melbourne CBD safe injecting room.Ms Stitt said she had spent the past month familiarising herself with the issue since taking over the portfolio in October.