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There Have Been Over 2,000 Overdoses In Malta Over The Last Six Years

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In between dealers explaining how they sell drugs in Paceville and patients being arrested for using their medicine, one might not have realised that Malta has been experiencing a constant and consistent wave of drug overdoses.

Statistics obtained by Lovin Malta from a Ministry of Health spokesperson shows that between 2012 and 2018 there have been a total of 2,080 drug overdose-related discharges from Mater Dei.

That amounts to 346 overdoses a year on average, nearly one per day.

This number includes the total number of discharges from Mater Dei Hospital with a recorded discharge diagnosis of accidental, intentional and undetermined intent overdoses.

It shows a sizeable jump between the years 2012 and 2013, as well as 2015 and 2016 – and, if 2018 remains on track, there could be 340 overdoses this year alone.

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Not only that, but there were 39 deaths attributed to drug and medicine overdoses between 2012 and 2016

This large number of deaths could come from illicit drugs such as heroin or cocaine, but also from a number of legal medicines such as paracetamol, which can lead to accidental poisoning.

Abuse of a drug, misuse of it, or a lack of knowledge regarding a drug could all contribute to someone having an overdose.

It is also important to note that a number of overdoses may never be reported due to the person’s fear of facing criminal activity, leaving the person to recover by themselves wherever they are. Overdoses have occurred everywhere from personal homes to public gardens to private clubs.

Other times, the overdoses may come from within correctional facilities themselves. Just this July, four Mount Carmel in-patients were taken to Mater Dei – three of them unconscious – after suffering from synthetic drug overdoses.

If you or someone around you experiences an overdose call 112 immediately.

What do you think of these overdose statistics?

READ NEXT: Second Dead Body Found In Maltese Streets In One Day, This Time In St. Julian’s

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Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]

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