Recent Drug Use
The latest Australian national drug survey shows that 1 in 8 Australians over the age of 14 have used an illicit drug in the previous year.
- 10.3 per cent used cannabis
- 3.0 per cent used ecstasy
- 2.1 per cent used ICE (methamphetamines)
- 2.1 per cent used cocaine
- 1.4 per cent used hallucinogens
Overall 12.0 per cent used any illicit drug in 2010 up from 10.9 per cent in 2007.
Recent illicit drug use was highest in the 20 to 29 year old age group.
Almost 1 in 3 males in the 20 to 29 year old group used an illicit drug in the previous year.
For females in the 20 to 29 year age group, 1 in 4 used an illicit drug in the previous year.
(Source: 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, July 2011)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
This Australian drug use survey conducted once every 3 years needs to be conducted EVERY year like they do in Sweden.
Clearly young Australians in their twenties need to targeted to reduce the high illicit drug use.
Sweden targets young people in their teens to educate them of the dangers of illicit drug use so that they do not use drugs in their twenties.
Court ordered and supervised drug detoxification and rehabilitation is world’s best practice in reducing the number of drug users.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
35/2011
