SYDNEY, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Australians aged 43 to 63 now face the nation's highest risk of death from methamphetamine-related causes, according to new research released Wednesday.
The research reveals that methamphetamine-related deaths in Australia have more than quadrupled over the past 20 years, with Generation X -- those born between 1962 and 1982 -- experiencing the greatest impact, according to a statement released by the Melbourne-based Burnet Institute, which led the research.
The study, which analyzed two decades of data from the National Coronial Information System, highlights that deaths among this cohort are often linked to accidental drug toxicity and cardiovascular complications, and are frequently complicated by the use of multiple substances.
In contrast, methamphetamine-related deaths among younger Australians have declined, according to the study published in the journal Addiction.
"Many people who use drugs are ageing, and the support systems in place are not designed with their needs in mind," said Oisin Stronach, Burnet PhD candidate and the study's lead author.
Methamphetamine-related deaths often involve multiple substances, yet support services largely focus on opioid users, leaving older methamphetamine users underserved, Stronach noted.
The study found deaths rose sharply between 2013 and 2020 as high-purity crystal methamphetamine became more available, with stigma around methamphetamine use continuing to deter people from seeking help in Australia.
As methamphetamine remains illegal in Australia with strict penalties for possession and use, the study calls for improved access to tailored health services for all drug users to help prevent deaths and address this escalating public health issue. ■
