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The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation expressed deep concern Friday following the release of two Coroner's Court of Victoria reports – one of which focuses on the fatal overdoses of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The 'Fatal overdose among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Victoria 2018-2021 report' states a majority of the fatal overdoses amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were unintentional, emphasising the failure of alcohol and other drug services, particularly in regional areas where many of the deaths in the reports occurred.

VACCHO noted that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience fatal overdoses at a rate more than three times higher than non-Indigenous people. In 2023, the significant disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people should not exist.

The report also emphasised the "urgent need for long overdue reinvestment" into the alcohol and other drug sector in Victoria.

State Coroner Judge John Cain said drug related harms are complex and constantly changing.

"Such issues cannot be countered without up-to-date information about drug prevalence and use in the community," he said.

"Fatal overdoses are only one measure of drug related harm. Non-fatal overdoses, injuries and fatalities from drug-related high-risk behaviour and chronic disease arising from long-term drug use are all part of the broader discussion to improve public health in Victoria."

VACCHO chief executive Jill Gallagher said the "deeply disturbing" findings of the Coroners Court of Victoria report indicate that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people "continue to be grossly failed by an alcohol and other drug service system that does not come close to meeting the complex health and wellbeing needs of community".

"The lives that are lost are not just statistics – they are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons and cousins," she said.

"VACCHO are calling for urgent and meaningful investment into the alcohol and other drug sector to prevent further tragic, and avoidable loss of life."

The findings of the Inquest into the death of Veronica Nelson highlighted many failures in care, with her treatment being described as "cruel and degrading" and in breach of Section 10 of Victoria's Charter of Human Rights.

One of the core failings identified was the stigma in relation to drug use and drug users more generally.

VACCHO said in a statement that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout Victoria have "repeatedly voiced their concerns regarding the stigma associated with drug and alcohol use being a barrier to seeking help and accessing vital treatment, care, and support".

VACCHO, in partnership with the Balit Durn Durn Centre of Social and Emotional Wellbeing, is advocating a suite of reforms to the alcohol and other drug system.

Balit Durn Durn Centre executive director Sheree Lowe said "we still have a long way to go to address alcohol and drug challenges in Victoria".

"The stigma and discrimination that exists towards people who struggle with substance use compounds the complexities when seeking support," she said.

"We need a service system that is culturally safe, accessible and responsive so that when people reach out for help that the system can respond in a way that is healing not hindering."

The two organisations have called for the following reforms:

· Strengthen and expand detoxification (detox) and rehabilitation services and ensure there are Aboriginal specific beds available when needed and services are culturally safe.

· Strengthen and expand existing Aboriginal community-controlled detox and rehabilitation services across the state.

· Design, establish and sustainably resource a culturally safe and responsive, gender-specific residential rehabilitation facility for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women with drug and/or alcohol dependence, in line with the recommendation from the Inquest into the death of Veronica Nelson.

· Mainstream AOD organisations to embed cultural practices and healing models into their models of care.

· Expand the Aboriginal Metropolitan Ice Partnership (AMIP) into regional areas.

· Work with the mainstream AOD sector to ensure cultural safety strategy is implemented and develop meaningful mechanisms to hold organisations accountable.

· Ensure every mainstream AOD service has an Aboriginal Liaison Officer (or equivalent) employed.

· Establish culturally safe AOD intake and assessment tools for Aboriginal people in Victoria.

National Indigenous Times has contacted the Victorian government for comment.

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