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†.
In 2016, when Australians were asked which form of drug use they thought was of most serious concern for the general community, 40% chose meth/amphetamine, 28% excessive drinking of alcohol, 9% tobacco smoking, 8% heroin, 5% ecstasy, 3% cannabis, 3% cocaine, 2% pain killers/analgesics/opioids, 0.8% steroids/methadone/buprenorphine, and 1% none of these drugs.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2016 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.