THERE was a 20 per cent leap in the number of accidental drugs deaths last year.
The Coroner's annual report, released yesterday, showed 134 people had died of accidental overdoses, compared with 112 in 1993. In 1992, the figure was only 72.
'We do have serious concerns about the figures, which show a steady increase. It is a worry,' said Coroner Warner Banks.
Part of the problem was the lack of long-term success of detoxification programmes.
'People come off detoxification, go back on to drugs and take them at the same level as before. But the body has lost its immunity to these higher levels,' Coroner Banks said.
Overall, 30,106 people died in the territory last year. Of those deaths, 6,955 were investigated by the police. These figures are down from the previous two years.
