New figures published in international journal the Lancet today has shown deaths and disability from drugs and alcohol have soared worldwide since 2000.
The paper from the Global Burden of Disease study co-authored by NDARC Professor Louisa Degenhardt, shows that alcohol and illicit drug use combined were the 7th largest risk factors for burden of disease accounting for over 5% of total global burden in 2013.
In 2013, alcohol and illicit drug use were the cause of 3.163 million deaths globally, and increase of 51% since 2000. The increase was particularly notable for illicit drugs, which had a 225% increase in attributable deaths across 2000-2013.
In Australia, tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use were the 2nd, 5th and 8th largest risk factors for burden in 2013.
To read the abstract and full paper, click here.
For interview with Professor Degenhardt please contact Marion Downey on 0401 713 850.