Penington Institute presents: Australia’s Annual Overdose Report – Snapshot
The ‘snapshot’ of our Australia’s Annual Overdose Report shows: Drug-induced deaths reached 2,596 in 2024, the highest number on record Unintentional overdose deaths rose 15.1% to 2,091 deaths Heroin-related deaths reached the highest level recorded this century Deaths involving stimulants increased by 25.1% in a single year Cocaine-related deaths increased by 28.2% in just […]
Penington’s Annual Overdose snapshot shows 7 people a day are dying from overdose.
One death every 3.5 hours: Australia’s deadliest overdose year on record demands urgent national action New data shows 2,596 Australians died from drug-induced causes in 2024, the highest number ever recorded. Australia is losing seven people every day to overdose – that’s one son, daughter, partner or friend every 3.5 hours – and the nation’s […]
Congratulations to our CEO, John Ryan, on his OAM
Penington CEO, John Ryan, Awarded OAM Today we’re celebrating a very special honour for our CEO, John Ryan, or, as the King’s Birthday Honours list has revealed – Daniel John Ryan – our resident international man of mystery! John has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to community health. […]
Vale The Hon Rob Knowles AO
Everyone at Penington Institute is deeply saddened by the passing of The Hon Rob Knowles AO, a valued board member, colleague and friend, whose contribution to our work, and to public life more broadly, was both significant and enduring. Rob’s connection with Penington spanned decades. He spoke at our inaugural conference in the late 1990s when he was the Victorian Minister for Health, […]
Medicinal cannabis sales fall nearly 30% as enforcement crackdown takes effect
Medicinal cannabis sales in Australia have fallen sharply for the first time in nearly a decade, with new analysis pointing to a regulatory crackdown on high-volume prescribers and clinics as the key driver. A new report from Penington Institute shows sales dropped by 28.5% in the second half of 2025, a sudden reversal after years of rapid growth. The […]
Victoria falling behind as opioid treatment gap widens
New Federal Government data has revealed an alarming shortfall in access to life-saving opioid dependence treatment in Victoria, prompting calls for urgent reform. Figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that 57,754 Australians received opioid pharmacotherapy on a snapshot day in June 2025 – yet Victoria is lagging behind comparable states. Opioid pharmacotherapy is a proven […]
Vale Professor The Hon Marie Bashir AD CVO
Penington Institute mourns the passing and pays tribute to the life and achievements of Professor The Hon Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO. Professor Bashir served as a Patron of Penington Institute since the organisation’s establishment in 2014. With trademark compassion and kindness, she was a passionate supporter of Penington Institute’s vision to minimise drug harms to Australians through the pursuit of evidence-based policy approaches. […]
Stop police wasting time on cannabis so they can focus on bigger crime threats, Victorians urge government
Victorians want to stop valuable police time from being wasted on enforcing outdated laws against personal cannabis use. In new polling by Penington Institute (conducted by independent research firm YouGov), just 5% of respondents identified pursuing Victorians for personal cannabis use as a good use of Victoria Police time and resources. Victorians nominated other issues […]
International Overdose Awareness Day 2025 Partners’ Report
Download IOAD Partners’ Report Penington Institute is proud to release the 2025 International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) Partners’ Report, showcasing the extraordinary global effort to end overdose and honour the lives of those we have lost. This year’s campaign theme – One big family, driven by hope – captured the spirit of a worldwide movement […]
GHB and Stimulants: Navigating Complex Polydrug Use Presentations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc12fRRZM_s&feature=youtu.be Note: This recording was edited for clarity, length, and technical quality while preserving the integrity of original presentations GBH and Stimulants: Navigating Complex Polydrug Use Presentations GHB-related harms continue to rise across Australia, with increasing reports of ambulance call outs and emergency department presentations. Concurrent use of stimulants like methamphetamine is increasingly common in […]