Led by Research Officer Naomi Beard and Senior Researcher Dr Rowan Ogeil, Strategic Lead of the National Addiction and Mental Health Surveillance Unit, the study analysed 16,971 GHB-related ambulance attendances between 2015 and 2024.

They found that Greater Geelong ranked fourth for GHB-related ambulance attendances across Victoria, surpassing inner-city nightlife areas traditionally associated with GHB use such as South Yarra, Richmond and Fitzroy.

According to Dr Ogeil, the study demonstrates that current public health approaches aren't reaching the populations that are most at risk.

"These patterns show us where and when people need support most. Rather than waiting for emergency situations, we need accessible harm-reduction services that can engage with people before harms escalate," he says.

The findings highlight a critical challenge facing regional communities like Geelong.

By drawing on data from the world-first National Ambulance Surveillance System (NASS), the researchers were able to access real-time intelligence about drug-related harms, which has proven particularly valuable for regional areas where other data sources are limited.

"Regional communities often have limited access to specialised alcohol, drug and other health and support services, meaning ambulance responses may be the only help available," explains lead author Naomi Beard.

The Victorian Department of Health's drug-checking trial has shown promising results, with 65 per cent of 1,500 people at the Beyond the Valley festival near Geelong reporting their first honest, judgment-free conversation about drug use with a healthcare professional.

According to Dr Ogeil, a permanent drug-checking service in Greater Geelong, in addition to continued mobile services at regional festivals, could ensure that regional communities have access to these life-saving services.

Congratulations to the research team for this crucial work published in Drug and Alcohol Review, featured in Monash University LENS, and covered across a broad range of media, including the Geelong Advertiser.

Read the paper: Patterns of Acute Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate Harms Requiring Ambulance Attendance: Should Greater Focus Be on Regional Areas?

Read more about the issue on Monash LENS: How Geelong became an unexpected frontline for GHB harm

Image credit: Mark Angelo Sampan via Pexels

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