On average, each death represented 44 years of lost individual life, he said.
There are different types of methamphetamine, generally distinguished by their appearance and purity, and the drug crystal meth - commonly known as ice - is the most popular among users.
Professor Darke found a "hidden danger" in meth-related deaths, in the form of damage to vital organs from even modest amounts of the drug.
In 22 per cent of cases, 'natural' disease like cardiac arrest or stroke were the common causes of death, Professor Darke said.
Current projections indicate there are about 300,000 regular users of meth across the country.
Popular perceptions centre on violence and while deaths from accident, misadventure and suicide are high, almost half of meth users perished from overdose.
"Basically, the person becomes unbearably hot and their temperature spikes. They have trouble breathing and they may fit.
"Even a very little amount can kill you - it can engender a heart attack."
He fears the rates of death - which rose year-on-year until 2012 when they plateaued at dangerously high levels - will not improve without greater awareness.
"But there are long-term impacts too," Professor Darke said.
"Even if everyone stopped using methamphetamines today, we're looking at a number of individuals with serious damage to their hearts."
Another troubling finding surrounded the 300 identified suicides in the data, he said.
When looking at the methods those people used to take their own lives, he observed unusually violent and impulsive acts.
"I've done research on suicide for many years and one thing that stood out, which I've never seen before ... is the disinhibition, impulsivity, and aggression shown in these cases.
"It's just not typical of suicide."
While meth deaths skewed fairly young, there were no commonalities when it came to location or socio-economic status, he said.
Tests carried out on wastewater last week (to determine the prevalence of drug use) showed South Australia and Western Australia were home to the nation's biggest meth users.
Almost half of those occurred in regional or rural locations and a large number of users were gainfully employed when they died.
However very few were in treatment, showing the need for greater funding for services.
"We think there are aspects of the dangers of methamphetamine that people - particularly users - aren't aware of," he said.
"This is the tip of the iceberg. I think this issue is something from which the effects will be felt for decades to come."
WHERE TO GET HELP:
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
OR IF YOU NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE ELSE:
• LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633
• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757