Are male or female meth/amphetamine users in Australia more likely to use crystal methamphetamine (ice)?
Among Australians who used meth/amphetamine† in the past 12 months, women are slightly more likely than men to report that they have ever used crystal methamphetamine (ice), and that ice is the main form of meth/amphetamine that they use.
Among Australian men who used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months, 71% report ever using crystal methamphetamine (ice) and 29% never used crystal methamphetamine. Among Australian women who used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months, 73% report ever using crystal methamphetamine (ice) and 27% never used crystal methamphetamine. Among Australian men who used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months, 50% chose crystal methamphetamine (ice) as their main form and 50% chose other forms of methamphetamine. Among Australian women who used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months, 52% chose crystal methamphetamine (ice) as their main form and 48% chose other forms of methamphetamine.
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.