Home Knowledgebase Methamphetamine Employment Does meth/amphetamine use among unemployed Australians vary by gender?

Does meth/amphetamine use among unemployed Australians vary by gender?

Unemployed Australian men are more likely than unemployed women to have used meth/amphetamine^† in the past 12 months.

4% of unemployed Australian men used meth/amphetamine in the past 12 months compared to 3%* of women.

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.

* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.

Unemployed: Those who are not currently working and are actively seeking employment.