Do Australians think methamphetamine/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, 15% chose methamphetamine or amphetamine†. The largest proportion of people (39%) thought that alcohol caused the most deaths.
When Australians were asked which drug they think directly or indirectly causes the most deaths in Australia, 39% chose alcohol, 17% tobacco, 15% methamphetamine or amphetamine, 12% heroin, 7% pain killers/pain-relievers and opioids, 5% cocaine, 2% ecstasy, 0.9% cannabis, and 3% other drugs.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
† Methamphetamine or amphetamine: The NDSHS asked about the use of methamphetamine and amphetamine (including the street names speed, crystal and ice) in 2022–2023. In 2019 and prior years, the NDSHS asked about the use of “Meth/amphetamines”, which also included the non‑medical use of pharmaceutical amphetamines, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) and pseudoephedrine based cold and flu tablets. The change represents a break in the timeseries. Results for methamphetamine and amphetamine in 2022–2023 should not be compared to meth/amphetamines results from previous survey waves.
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.