Do Australians consider methamphetamine/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 (35%) chose methamphetamine or amphetamine†.
When Australians were asked which form of drug use they thought was of most serious concern for the general community, 35% chose methamphetamine or amphetamine, 31% excessive drinking of alcohol, 8% heroin, 8% tobacco smoking, 6% pain killers/pain-relievers and opioids, 6% cocaine, 3% cannabis, 2% ecstasy, 0.3% steroids, 0.4% methadone/buprenorphine, 1% tranquillisers/sleeping pills, and 1% none of these 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.