Friday 6 May 2016
5249 6700 indy@geelongindy.com.au
geelongindy.com.au
‘Cocktail’ killers Cancer tragedy a foundation for support service By LUKE VOOGT
Drugs death alarm By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN Geelong has the highest frequency of drug overdose deaths in regional Victoria, a report to the Victorian Coroner’s Court has revealed. Geelong had 111 overdose deaths between 2009 and 2015, the report showed. Ninety-four deaths involved pharmaceuticals, 40 were due to illegal drugs and 32 were from alcohol. The average annual rate of overdose deaths in Geelong was 7.3 per 100,000 of the population per year. The report revealed a concerning rise in heroin overdoses across the state, including in Geelong. The issue raised concerns to the extent that Victoria Police and the Coroner’s Prevention Unit have begun investigating whether increased drug-purity was responsible for the high rate of deaths.
The number of heroin deaths remained steady between 2009 and 2014, ranging from 127 to 137, but jumped to 168 in 2015. Heroin contributed to 943 deaths over the period, with more overdoses than for any other drug except Diazepam. The rise in heroin-related overdose deaths concerned authorities because the drug contributed only a small percentage of drugs offences, especially compared to ice. Dr Matthew Frei, clinical director at drug and alcohol centre Turning Point, said the figures were high for a regional city like Geelong. “There are probably a whole lot of factors working in concert to produce a result like that,� Dr Frei said. “The figures could suggest a shift back to heroin use, which peaked in the ’90s when it was cheap and easy to get. Continued page 9
Highton’s Rebecca Picone hopes reaching the finals of a national award for mums will help her raise awareness of brain cancer. The 32-year-old single mother is a category finalist in the Brilliant Biz Mum Awards for founding the Peace of Mind Foundation. “I don’t do it for the accolades,� she said, “it’s something I’m very passionate about.� Brain cancer was one of Australia’s deadliest cancers but received limited government funding, Bec said. “It’s the leading cause of cancer deaths for children and men and women under 40. How can there be a cancer in Australia that kills so many people but gets the lowest levels of funding?� The Barwon region had up to 60 new cases of brain cancer a year out of 400 in Victoria, Bec said. Bec and brother Clinton founded the foundation in 2013 after the disease killed his wife. The foundation has given more than $70,000 in grants to 60 Geelong families with brain-cancer victims. Another 100 families have benefitted from its support services. Bec was shocked to discover she was a finalist in the awards’ Best Community Minded Mum category. “I’m still not even sure who put in the nomination for me.� Winners will be announced on 14 May. More information about the foundation is available at peaceofmindfoundation.org. au.
FINALIST: Highton’s Bec Picone has been recognised for the foundation she set up with her brother to help families battling brain cancer. (Louisa Jones)
Boy from the bush loves our ‘country heart’ PAGE 15
Top Cats the focus of opponents and the media PAGE 34
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