Hospital emergency departments across the state of Victoria will be overhauled according to reports by The Herald Sun, in order to cope with the high number of alcohol and drug affected people that are monopolising hospitals. The government will review its drug and alcohol strategy to be able to improve Vic’s emergency departments.
The government plans to use Australia Day as an opportunity to bring awareness to the need for a change in drinking attitudes across Oz. Part of the government’s plan also includes clamping down on the abuse of prescription drugs.
The government’s strategy will also include a plan to be rolled out between 2013-2017 which will, strengthening drink driving laws as well as tackling anti-social behaviour programs. The government will also roll out drug and alcohol awareness programs throughout schools across the state.
Hospitals will be given more money to deal with the large volumes of people being admitted for drug and alcohol related incidents. $12 million will be injected in emergency departments to help them cope with the increasing numbers.
Authorities also intend to clamp down abuse of prescription drugs which is another increasing problem in the state.
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The Government will also toughen controls and programs to clamp down on illegal and misused prescription drugs.
At least one Victorian is killed daily by drugs or alcohol.
Central to the plan will be a $12 million emergency department injection to help hospitals deal with increasing numbers of dangerous drunk and drug-affected patients, particularly those using ice.
Specialised medical staff will be placed in 21 emergency departments to take control of the most dangerous intoxicated patients.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Wooldridge said the measures would see drugged and drunk patients referred to more appropriate care in an effort to cut hospital re-admissions.
“Dealing with these patients requires intensive resources and places considerable pressure on hospitals,” Ms Wooldridge said.
“This new initiative will provide better support, identification, management and treatment of people presenting to emergency departments who are intoxicated or drug-affected.”
The strategy will also incorporate tougher drug and medicine controls due to the increasing numbers of people misusing pharmaceutical drugs. They will also be cracking down on prescription drug abuse. Prescription drug abuse is the use of a medication without a prescription, in a way other than as prescribed, or for the experience or feelings elicited. According to an American national survey, prescription medications, such as those used to treat pain, attention deficit disorders, and anxiety, are being abused at such a high rate that it is second only to marijuana among illicit drug use.
Additional specialised medical staff located at 21 emergency departments will help get the situation under control and deal with those intoxicated patients that are dangerous and present a risk.
The government’s strategy will ensure that people are not just treated for the injuries caused by their intoxication or drug abuse but it attempts to tackle the root of the issue and provide medical staff with the support they need to help these people.