Do Australians think meth/amphetamine is the drug that causes most deaths in Australia?
When Australians were asked which drug they think directly or indirectly causes the most deaths in Australia, 9% chose meth/amphetamine†. Most people thought that alcohol (34%) or tobacco (32%) cause most deaths.
When Australians were asked which drug they think directly or indirectly causes the most deaths in Australia, 34% chose alcohol; 32% tobacco; 14% heroin; 9% meth/amphetamine; 5% ecstasy; 4% cocaine; 1% cannabis; 1% pain killers/analgesics/opioids; and 0.9% another drug.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2015).
† Meth/amphetamine: This term covers a range of stimulant drugs including methamphetamine and amphetamine. The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) described meth/amphetamine as including drugs commonly known as speed, ice, crystal, whizz, Ritalin, or pseudoephedrine-based cold and flu tablets.
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.