Drug-related admissions to hospital up by 40 per cent

Drug-related admissions to Rockingham General Hospital have risen by more than 40 per cent since 2010 – a figure that Australian Medical Association WA president Richard Choong has described as “too many.”

Dr Choong, who works as a GP in Port Kennedy, said while he was concerned about the increase, he was surprised that it was not much higher considering the “significant” drug problem in Rockingham and elsewhere in the State.

“While it is a concern that the number has increased, there is no benefit in avoiding attending hospital if someone believes they may be suffering from an overdose,” he said. “Often, people who have taken drugs are worried about being caught and this presents a real possibility that lives could be lost.”

In 2010, drug-related hospital stays at the Cooloongup hospital accounted for 394 of the 46,805 admitted, but in 2012 that number had risen to 564 — 41 of which were related to methamphetamine use — of 53,582 patients admitted.

Mr Choong said “crystal meth” as well as other drugs including ecstasy and cocaine each had a negative effect on the brain, particularly in young people who were still developing.

“We generally find that teenagers and young adults are most likely to experiment with these drugs in particular because they are mood and perception-altering,” he said.

“While adults may also suffer from drug dependency, young people tend to be more vocal about it.”

Dr Choong said mental health problems often went hand in hand with addiction, with some users more likely to become addicted depending on their genetic make-up.