Are younger or older Australians more likely to have used meth/amphetamine?
Australians aged 25-39 years are more likely than other age groups to have used meth/amphetamine† in their lifetime and in the past 12 months.
0.6%* of Australians aged 14-17 years have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime; and 0.1%** in the past 12 months.
4% of Australians aged 18-24 years have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime; and 2% in the past 12 months.
8% of Australians aged 25-29 years have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime; and 3% in the past 12 months.
12% of Australians aged 30-39 years have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime; and 2% in the past 12 months.
4% of Australians aged 40+ years have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime; and 0.8% in the past 12 months.
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.
** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.