'I screamed': A mother's grief as drug overdose deaths hit record high (opens original article in a new tab)

Australia's overdose deaths hit a record high in 2024, with experts citing preventable causes and insufficient government funding for harm reduction and treatment programs.

• Overdose deaths in Australia reached a record high in 2024, with 2,596 fatalities reported.
• The majority of deaths were unintentional and linked to drugs like amphetamines, cocaine, and opioids.
• Experts highlight a lack of funding for harm reduction and treatment services, with only 2% of drug-related funding allocated to such measures.