Liz Bell
MORE people died of overdoses in Wellington Shire at the height of the pandemic last year, with welfare and health experts attributing the increase to pandemic-related stress in the community and the ready availability of new psychoactive drugs and cocaine.
Data from the Coroners’ Court reveals there were four fatal overdoses in Wellington Shire in 2020, an increase from two in 2019.
While the rise appears small, support agencies say any increase is significant.
On average, 2.8 people have fatally overdosed per year in Wellington Shire between 2011 and 2020.
The Healthy Wellington report 2021-2025 reveals high drug use in the shire, with use and possession offences per 1000 population at 5.6, compared to the state average of 5.1.