Does meth/amphetamine use in Australia vary by jurisdiction?
Australians living in Western Australia and the Northern Territory are most likely to have used meth/amphetamine† in their lifetime. Australians living in Western Australia are also most likely to have used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months. Australians living in New South Wales are the least likely to have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime and in the past 12 months.
5.7% of Australians living in New South Wales have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime and 1.4% have used in the past 12 months. 6.6% of Australians living in Victoria have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime and 1.9% have used in the past 12 months. 7.3% of Australians living in Queensland have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime and 2.3% have used in the past 12 months. 10.1% of Australians living in Western Australia have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime and 3.8% have used in the past 12 months. 7.6% of Australians living in South Australia have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime and 2.2% have used in the past 12 months. 7.0% of Australians living in Tasmania have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime and 3.0%* have used in the past 12 months. 7.5% of Australians living in Australian Capital Territory have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime and 2.2% have used in the past 12 months. 10.0% of Australians living in Northern Territory have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime and 2.8%* have used in the past 12 months. * Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
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.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.