Do Australians approve or disapprove of the personal use of pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes?
The majority of Australians disapprove of the regular use of pharmaceutical drugs† for non-medical purposes.
9% of Australians approve of the non-medical use of tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 23% neither approve nor disapprove; 62% disapprove and 6% don’t know enough to say.
12% of Australians approve of the non-medical use of prescription pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids; 18% neither approve nor disapprove; 65% disapprove and 5% don’t know enough to say.
1% of Australians approve of the non-medical use of methadone/buprenorphine; 8% neither approve nor disapprove; and 77% disapprove and 13% don’t know enough to say.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
† This FAQ uses data from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey, which defines the pharmaceutical drugs referred to in this question as: the non-medical use of: tranquillisers/sleeping pills, pain-killers/pain relievers/opioids (e.g. oxycodone, morphine, codeine products such as panadeine forte), and methadone/buprenorphine.
Non-medical use:
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Using a drug for recreational purposes to induce or enhance a drug experience
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Using a pharmaceutical drug in a way that it was not prescribed / recommended (e.g. using it to enhance the effects of an illicit drug, taking it more frequently or at higher doses to induce a feeling, for performance enhancement including athletic and academic performance, or for weight loss).
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.