Does meth/amphetamine use in Australia vary by geographic location and age?
In all geographic locations, Australians aged 30-39 years are most likely to have used meth/amphetamine† in their lifetime. A higher proportion of 30-39 year olds used in outer regional/remote/very remote Australia (15%) than those living in major cities (11%) or inner regional locations (13%).
Among Australians aged 14-17 years, 0.9%* of those in major cities have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime, compared to 0% from inner regional locations, and 0% from outer regional/remote/very remote locations.
Among Australians aged 18-24 years, 3% of those in major cities have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime, compared to 10%* from inner regional locations, and 6%* from outer regional/remote/very remote locations.
Among Australians aged 25-29 years, 8% of those in major cities have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime, compared to 8% from inner regional locations, and 12%* from outer regional/remote/very remote locations.
Among Australians aged 30-39 years, 11% of those in major cities have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime, compared to 13% from inner regional locations, and 15% from outer regional/remote/very remote locations.
Among Australians aged 40+ years, 5% of those in major cities have used meth/amphetamine in their lifetime, compared to 4% from inner regional locations, and 4% from outer regional/remote/very remote locations.
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.