Attitudes
This section provides an overview of Australians’ attitudes regarding methamphetamine use and methamphetamine-related legislation.
It draws on data from the 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2020). The NDSHS is a triennial general population survey of Australians' awareness, attitudes, and behaviours relating to alcohol and other drug use. It is the best data source available to provide a national population demographic profile of Australians’ attitudes towards methamphamine use.
To be consistent with terminology used in the NDSHS, this section of the NADK uses the term meth/amphetamine. The NDSHS defines meth/amphetamine as including speed, ice, crystal, whizz, Ritalin®, and pseudoephedrine-based cold and flu tablets.
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, 20% chose meth/amphetamine†. The largest proportion of people (34%) thought that alcohol caused the most deaths.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
† 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.
Do Australians consider meth/amphetamine use to be a problem?
When Australians were asked which drug they first think of when people talk about “a drug problem”, approximately half (49%) chose meth/amphetamine†.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
† 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.
Do Australians consider meth/amphetamine to be the drug of most serious concern to the community?
When Australians were asked which form of drug use they thought was of most serious concern for the general community, the largest proportion (40%) chose meth/amphetamine†.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
† 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.
Do Australians approve or disapprove of the personal use of meth/amphetamine?
The majority of Australians (95%) disapprove of the regular use of meth/amphetamine† for non-medical purposes.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
† 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.
Do Australians support or oppose legalising the personal use of meth/amphetamine?
Most Australians (90%) oppose legalising the personal use of meth/amphetamine†.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
† 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.
Do Australians support or oppose increased penalties for the sale or supply of meth/amphetamine?
The majority of Australians (84%) support increased penalties for the sale or supply of meth/amphetamine†.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
† 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.