Heroin-Related Deaths Down in Australia

The number of heroin-related deaths in New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, has dropped dramatically.

Newly released figures for the past six years also show a drop in presentations to state hospital emergency rooms.

NSW Health Minister John Hatzistergos said in a statement that last year, there were 615 heroin-related presentations to hospital — a 66 percent decrease on the 1,854 cases recorded in 2000. In January to March 2006, there were only seven heroin-related deaths reported, a 92 percent decrease on the 89 deaths recorded in the same months six years ago.

Meanwhile, Sydney police reported Sunday that they had arrested 24 people for possession of drugs or supplying drugs at a dance party in suburban Homebush Bay.

Sixteen suspects were charged with possession of prohibited drugs including ecstasy, cannabis, ketamine and cocaine. Eight others were charged with supplying a prohibited drug.