Australia records highest ever drug-induced death toll in 2024, with 2,596 fatalities — averaging seven deaths per day.
In 2024, Australia recorded 2,596 drug-induced deaths, the highest annual figure on record. According to preliminary data from the Penington Institute, these deaths averaged seven per day, or one every 3.5 hours. The report, based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and subject to revision, is scheduled for full release later in 2025.
Of the total drug-induced deaths, approximately 80% (2,091) were classified as unintentional.
Demographic Shifts and Age Groups
For the first time in over 20 years, Australians in their 50s recorded the highest number of unintentional drug overdose deaths, totaling 533 in 2024 (up from 448 in 2023). This was followed closely by those aged 40-49, who accounted for 531 deaths. Among individuals in their 30s, unintentional deaths rose by over 30% to 358 fatalities, reversing a six-year decline.
Men accounted for 1,520 unintentional deaths, compared to 571 women.
Drug Types Involved
Opioids, including codeine, oxycodone, heroin, and fentanyl, were the most common drug class involved in unintentional deaths, accounting for 1,083 fatalities (over 40% of the total).
Unintentional deaths involving stimulants (such as amphetamines and ecstasy) increased by 25% from 2023 to 2024, surpassing benzodiazepines as the second-most common drug class. Cocaine-related deaths increased by 28% over the same period. Benzodiazepines (including Valium, Xanax, and temazepam) were also involved in a significant number of deaths.
Geographic Distribution
New South Wales recorded the highest number of unintentional drug-induced deaths in 2024 at 587. Victoria recorded 572 deaths, marking its deadliest year on record for unintentional drug deaths. More than a quarter of all accidental drug fatalities in Australia occurred in Victoria, with a rate of 8.1 per 100,000 residents.
Government and Expert Responses
"The numbers are high for a cause of death that is preventable," said John Ryan, Chief Executive of the Penington Institute. He stated that Australia over-relies on punitive responses and underinvests in harm reduction, early interventions, and treatment.
Scientia Professor Alison Ritter from the University of New South Wales described the data as of "grave concern," noting that overdose deaths now exceed Australia's annual road toll.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler stated that reforms requiring telehealth prescribing services to upload prescription information to My Health Record are a first step toward a national drugs database. A spokesperson for the federal Department of Health, Disability and Ageing noted investments in drug treatment, overdose prevention, opioid dependence programs, and the expansion of naloxone access. The government has announced $727 million for alcohol and other drug services over three years from 2026-2027, and $244.2 million annually from 2029-2030. The spokesperson also noted that some harm reduction measures are state or territory responsibilities.
Professor Ritter stated that only 2% of government spending on illicit drugs goes to harm reduction, compared to 64% on law enforcement, and that half of people seeking treatment cannot access it.
Victorian Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt said the state government is taking a harm reduction approach, including pill-testing, naloxone vending machines, and expanded pharmacotherapy, and is rolling out a $95 million Statewide Action Plan.
Context and Prevention Measures
The National Drug Strategy 2017-2026 guides federal policy. The report comes after over a decade of federal and state policies aimed at reducing overdose deaths, including real-time prescription monitoring.
Since July 2022, over 800,000 supplies of take-home naloxone, a medicine that can temporarily reverse opioid overdoses, have been distributed. The federal government began consulting on a plan to require telehealth prescribing services to automatically upload information to My Health Record.
NSW Health reported six hospitalizations after individuals used what they believed was cocaine but which contained opioids.