Drugs blamed for psychotic epidemic
December 26, 2004
HEAVY amphetamine use is being blamed for a huge increase in the number of Australians hospitalised with psychotic disorders.
Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show national hospital admissions for psychosis caused by stimulant drugs increased from 200 in 1998/99 to 1312 in 2002/03.
However, a NSW Health spokesman said it was possible the 1998/99 figure was artificially low because it was the first year data was collected and did not include all states.
St Vincent's Hospital-based drug and alcohol specialist Dr Alex Wodak said the amphetamine phenomenon was sending mental health services into crisis.
He said amphetamine psychosis could make people quite violent.
"It's one of the reasons we've seen an increase in violence towards ambulance workers and nurses and admissions to mental health (clinics)," he said.
"Mental health has been in a crisis over this. My hospital in Kings Cross has always struggled to provide the resources to meet the demand."
Dr Wodak's comments were backed by National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre chief Paul Dillon, who said mental health remained vastly underfunded.
Mr Dillon said NDARC planned to release detailed information on amphetamine psychosis in the new year.
He said massive quantities of amphetamines started flooding into the country from about 2000, replacing the hole in the market left by the heroin drought.
Amphetamine psychosis is characterised by paranoia, delusions, hallucinations and bizarre behaviour.
However, symptoms usually disappear a few days after use of the drug ceases.
The Sunday Telegraph
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11779146%5E421,00.html
December 26, 2004
HEAVY amphetamine use is being blamed for a huge increase in the number of Australians hospitalised with psychotic disorders.
Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show national hospital admissions for psychosis caused by stimulant drugs increased from 200 in 1998/99 to 1312 in 2002/03.
However, a NSW Health spokesman said it was possible the 1998/99 figure was artificially low because it was the first year data was collected and did not include all states.
St Vincent's Hospital-based drug and alcohol specialist Dr Alex Wodak said the amphetamine phenomenon was sending mental health services into crisis.
He said amphetamine psychosis could make people quite violent.
"It's one of the reasons we've seen an increase in violence towards ambulance workers and nurses and admissions to mental health (clinics)," he said.
"Mental health has been in a crisis over this. My hospital in Kings Cross has always struggled to provide the resources to meet the demand."
Dr Wodak's comments were backed by National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre chief Paul Dillon, who said mental health remained vastly underfunded.
Mr Dillon said NDARC planned to release detailed information on amphetamine psychosis in the new year.
He said massive quantities of amphetamines started flooding into the country from about 2000, replacing the hole in the market left by the heroin drought.
Amphetamine psychosis is characterised by paranoia, delusions, hallucinations and bizarre behaviour.
However, symptoms usually disappear a few days after use of the drug ceases.
The Sunday Telegraph
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11779146%5E421,00.html