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By Carrernav and The Australian Drug Foundation

DRUGS

There are a number of drugs, both legal and illegal, available in Australia. Depending on your social circle you may never encounter drugs in your daily life, or you may come across a number of them.. Each has its own form, effects, and consequences, which are listed below. The information has been influenced and reviewed by the Australian Drug Foundation.

Here are some facts about drugs, taken from the Victorian drug statistics handbook 2007, and the National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2007.

• 15% of Victorian deaths in 2005 were drug-related. That’s 4,952 deaths due to tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs
• 14.6% of Australians were victims of an illicit drug-related incident: verbal abuse, physical abuse or put in fear (2007)
• 45,077 hospitalisations in Victoria were due to tobacco (2005-06). It accounted for the majority (58%) of all drug-related hospitalisations
• 7,568 hospitalisations in Victoria were due to illicit drugs (2005-06), accounting for 10% of all drug-related hospitalisations
• There were 863 cases of stimulant-related ambulance attendances in Victoria (2006). 80% of the victims had to be transported to hospital
• 92% of the 2656 victims of non-fatal benzodiazepine overdose ambulance attendances in Melbourne (2006) were transported to hospital
• Ambulances attended 486 non-fatal heroin overdoses in Melbourne (2006) and 26% of victims were transported to hospital
• In 2005-06 there were 130 opioid overdose hospitalisations
• 37 heroin-related deaths occurred in Victoria in 2006. 92% were male 
• 1% of 16-24 year olds reported using heroin in their lifetime

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are known as minor tranquilisers, and are prescribed by doctors in order to relieve stress and anxiety, and to help people sleep. Benzodiazepines are depressants, usually come in tablet or capsule form, and work by slowing down the central nervous system. This can cause relaxation, calmness, and relief: however they do not solve the problem behind the anxiety, and can have unwanted side effects.
 
Benzodiazepines have been used illegally for intoxication. They may be taken in the place of heroin or alongside heroin to increase the effects. They can also be used to help people come down from a high, and to aid sleeping.

Side effects of benzodiazepines vary, and can include: impairment of thought processes, memory and coordination; confusion; slurred speech; tiredness; vertigo; blurred or double vision; mood swings; dry mouth; nausea and vomiting; loss of appetite; and feelings of euphoria or depression.

Overdoses of benzodiazepines can be harmful, and may cause unconsciousness or a coma. Death rarely occurs on an overdose of benzodiazepines alone, however injecting it into the bloodstream can cause serious health problems, such as damaged organs, amputation due to poor circulation, strokes, and even death.

Buprenorphine

Buprenorphine, also known as ‘bup’ or ‘B’, is used for the treatment of heroin addiction. It is prescribed by doctors under the name Subutex, and can be effective in reducing the desire to use heroin, helping people withdraw from heroin and methadone, and also to treat acute pain.

Doses of buprenorphine are taken by placing a Subutex tablet under the tongue and waiting for it to dissolve. Chewing and swallowing are ineffective, and injecting is dangerous. Side effects aren’t overly common, and disappear early on.

Withdrawal from buprenorphine can cause symptoms like those suffered from heroin withdrawal, however they are generally milder. These symptoms include headaches, sweating, aches and pains, cold or flu-like symptoms, trouble sleeping, nausea, mood swings, and a loss of appetite.

Buprenorphine can only be prescribed by a doctor with a permit from the Department of Human Services. It is roughly $5.00 per dose.