This report reveals that unintentional overdose continues to be a significant cause of death in Australia. The continued growth in unintentional overdose deaths is linked to highly potent drugs, many of which are available through prescription, such as pharmaceutical opioids and benzodiazepines.

This report focuses on accidental deaths caused by drugs, excluding drug-deaths that were deemed homicidal, suicidal or of undetermined intent. This is to ensure that drugs and the public health consequences that arise from them remain the primary focus of the report without the complicating...

Introduction