Do younger and older Australians use different forms of methamphetamine / amphetamine?
Among Australians who used methamphetamine or amphetamine† in the past 12 months, those aged 25 years and above typically used crystal methamphetamine (ice) as their main form. Younger people were significantly more likely to use tablets/pills, capsules and speed/powder, while older people were significantly more likely to use crystal/ice forms of methamphetamine.
0% of Australians aged 14-17 years who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used speed/powder as their main form, 0% used liquid, 0% used crystal/ice, 0% used tablets/pills and 100% used capsules.
17% of Australians aged 18-24 years who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used speed/powder as their main form, 0% used liquid, 9%* used crystal/ice, 8%* used tablets/pills, and 33% used capsules.
33% of Australians aged 25-29 years who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used speed/powder as their main form, 0% used liquid, 27% used crystal/ice, 18%* used tablets/pills, and 2%** used capsules.
24% of Australians aged 30-39 years who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used speed/powder as their main form, 0% used liquid, 46% used crystal/ice, 21% used tablets/pills, and 9%* used capsules.
24% of Australians aged 40-49 years who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used speed/powder as their main form, 0% used liquid, 60% used crystal/ice, 7%* used tablets/pills, and 7%* used capsules.
19% of Australians aged 50-59 years who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used speed/powder as their main form, 4%* used liquid, 66% used crystal/ice, 6%* used tablets/pills, and 6%* used capsules.
25% of Australians aged 60-69 years who used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months used speed/powder as their main form, 13%* used liquid, 60% used crystal/ice, 2%** used tablets/pills, and 0% used capsules.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.
† 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.
* 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.