In a recent revelation, it has come to light that painkillers, sleeping pills and other prescription medication are being used at higher rate across Hume and Whittlesea.

As per reports, Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre showed that ambulances have received 854 drug and alcohol-related calls in Hume and 557 in Whittlesea from 2009 to 2010.

A sleeping or anti-anxiety medication, Benzodiazepine, is reported to have triggered 140 calls in Hume and 96 in Whittlesea, while a high number of ambulance callouts for incidents related to anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotic and analgesics were observed.

Reacting to the reports, Youth Projects Chair Melanie Raymond claimed that a rise in the use of prescription drugs is seen in the north.

However, concern is being shared about rise in calls of cases, including alcohol and drug use.

“I don’t think people believe the use of prescription drugs is safe, it’s just an alternative form of drug”, Ms. Raymond said.

It’s being believed that patients must consult their doctors before consuming any medicine. "We've seen some success in harm-reduction messages around alcohol at a community level with a reduction in alcohol-related attendances. But it is still a significant issue”, said Belinda Lloyd, a senior research fellow at Turning Point.