This 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report shows: positive and significant reductions since 2007 in daily tobacco smoking; mixed findings on alcohol consumption and risk; and a small overall rise in illicit drug use.
Recent illicit drug use (use in the previous 12 months) rose from 13.4% of the population aged 14 and over in 2007 to 14.7% in 2010. This was still below the 1995 peak of 16.7%.
The rise was mainly due to an increase in the proportion of people who had used cannabis (from 9.1% to 10.3%), pharmaceuticals for non-medical purposes (3.7% to 4.2%), cocaine (1.6% to 2.1%) and hallucinogens (0.6% to 1.4%). These drugs were also perceived as being more easily available or accessible in 2010 than in 2007.
Between 2007 and 2010, recent ecstasy use declined from 3.5% to 3.0%. There was no change in the use of meth/amphetamines, heroin (used by 0.2%in the last 12 months), ketamine, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate), and inhalants.
Recent illicit drug use was highest in the 20–29 year age group for both males and females (30.5% and 24.3%, respectively).
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.