Trends in cannabis-related ambulance presentations from 2000 to 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (1st October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kaar, Stephen J.; Gao, Caroline X.; Lloyd, Belinda; Smith, Karen; Lubman, Dan I.
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 155(2015)
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2015-10-01
• Subjects: Cannabis -- Illicit drug -- Ambulance -- Overdose; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.08.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: Cannabis-related drug presentations to ambulance services are on the rise across age groups. Polydrug use is common in particular alcohol and crystal methamphetamine. The majority of presentations result in transport to hospital. Further work is required to identify at risk populations. Abstract: Aims: The current burden of cannabis-related presentations to emergency health services is largely unknown. This paper presents data collected over a 13-year period in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia as part of the Ambo Project, a unique surveillance system that analyses and codes paramedic records for drug-related trends and harms. Methods: Cannabis-related ambulance attendances involving 15–59 year olds in metropolitan Melbourne were analysed retrospectively from 2000 to 2013 ( n = 10, 531). Trends and attendance characteristics were compared among cannabis only (CO)-, cannabis and alcohol (CA)- and cannabis with polydrug use (CP)-related attendances. Changes in alcohol and drug involvements in cannabis-related attendances were explored. Results: Rates of cannabis-related ambulance attendances increased significantly over the study period. Increasing rate of attendances per 100, 000 population per year changed from 0.6 (2000–2010) to 5.5 (2010–2013). This sharp change was driven by CO- and CP-related attendances (rate of CA-related attendance increased steadily). The highest increasing rate (15.6) was for CO-related attendances among 15–29 years old males (2010–2013). Crystal methamphetamine became the most common illicit co-intoxicant amongst cannabis presentations in 2013. Conclusions: Relative to the total drug-related burden on ambulance services, cannabis-related presentations appear to be a small but significant and increasing problem. Significant changes in trends across other drug involvement and demographic subgroups suggest a possible shift in the cannabis using population and/or a change in using behaviours. Public health strategies should raise awareness of the increased risk posed by cannabis polydrug use and high attendance subpopulations should be determined.