Talking about overdose before it’s too late

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Some things in life can’t be avoided. But overdose isn’t one of them. Talking about it can be the difference between everyone being at the next family barbecue and someone being missing forever. On Friday, August 29th, we’ll be hosting an Overdose Awareness Day in partnership with Mt Druitt TAFE and Amcal Pharmacy Emerton. It’s a conversation that matters, especially for Aboriginal communities, who continue to face the highest risk.

At Marrin Weejali, we offer programs and community events to help those in Western Sydney struggling with addiction. Knowledge is power, and knowing the risks of overdose could save a life.

Sadly, more than 2,000 people die from overdose each year in Australia. Over the past two decades, unintentional overdose has become one of the leading causes of death in younger adults (Penington Institute, 2023).

Other concerning figures include:

• More than 38,000 Australians have died from drug-related causes since 2002.
• In New South Wales, 507 people lost their lives to drug-related overdose in 2021.
• Opioid-related harm, including hospitalisations and deaths, is most common among men aged 35–44, people facing disadvantage and Aboriginal communities, according to NSW Health.
• In Western Sydney, recent clusters of suspected overdoses, including fentanyl-contaminated substances, have drawn concern from frontline services.
• While suburb-level data is limited, overdose rates in Greater Sydney remain consistent with statewide trends and affect families across the region.

It’s a statistic we’re actively trying to change, but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience significantly higher rates of overdose harm than the broader national population. The Penington Institute found that Indigenous people are more than three times as likely to die from an unintentional overdose. This isn’t an isolated issue. It’s tied to a long history of inequality, trauma, and lack of access to appropriate care.

Past government policies, racism and the loss of culture have had lasting effects on many Aboriginal communities. Many people carry intergenerational grief and trauma, along with the impact of ongoing discrimination. These experiences can lead to substance use as a way of coping. Overdose is also more common in communities facing poverty, high unemployment, unstable housing and limited access to healthcare. These conditions are experienced at higher rates among Aboriginal people.

Mainstream drug and alcohol services don’t always feel culturally safe. Aboriginal people may feel judged or misunderstood when seeking help, which can delay support and lead to worse outcomes. Prevention campaigns often miss the mark, too. Without trusted, community-based education, many people go without the information they need to stay safe or support others. At Marrin Weejali, we’re working to change that by raising awareness and improving access to care that respects culture and identity.

Prevention is always the goal, but if someone you care about is already in trouble, knowing what to do could save their life. Not every overdose looks the same, but there are signs to watch for. The person might be hard to wake, breathing very slowly or not at all, and their skin may be pale, cold or have a bluish tint.

If you suspect someone is overdosing, call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Stay with them, try to keep them awake and breathing, and follow the operator’s instructions.

Acting quickly in any emergency is imperative; drug overdose is no different. Even if you’re not sure, it’s always safer to call for help.

The best outcome is recognising the problem before it reaches crisis point. Using more than usual, mixing substances, pulling away from family, or taking risks that seem out of character can all be signs of deeper struggle. Sudden changes in mood, sleep or behaviour matter too. If you notice any of these, it’s time to check in with care, not judgment.

Despite growing awareness, Aboriginal Australians continue to face some of the highest rates of preventable overdose deaths in the country. The numbers are confronting, but real change takes more than awareness. It takes trust, cultural safety and people who truly understand what support should look like.

At Marrin Weejali, we offer counselling, group support and have built strong local partnerships to walk beside those in our community doing it tough. We also host events like our upcoming Overdose Awareness Day, not just to share information, but to foster connection, support healing, and remind everyone that no one has to face this journey alone.

Contact us to learn more about the event or to start a confidential discussion. If you or someone you know needs help to overcome addiction, you are welcome at Marrin Weejali.