New analysis from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has found that alcohol and illicit drugs are responsible for 1 in 20 deaths in Australia.

AIHW Spokesperson, Michelle Gourley told Chris that alcohol related illness puts considerable stress on Australia’s health services.

“Around 7 per cent or Australia’s total health burden could be attributed to alcohol and illicit drugs… that’s about the amount of health burden caused by obesity in the population and only about 2 percentage points behind tobacco smoking,” Ms Gourley said.

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