Do Australians consider pharmaceutical drug use to be a problem?

When Australians were asked which drug they first think of when people talk about “a drug problem”, 2% chose pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids, and 0.7% chose methadone/buprenorphine. Meth/amphetaminewas the drug most likely to be considered a problem (49%).

When Australians were asked which drug they first think of when people talk about “a drug problem”, 2% chose pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids, and 0.7% chose methadone/buprenorphine. Meth/amphetamine† was the drug most likely to be considered a problem (49%).

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.

† 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 pseudoepherine-based cold and flu tablets.

Please note: For the purpose of this FAQ, pharmaceutical drugs refer to pain-killers/pain relievers/opioids (e.g. panadeine forte, nurofen plus, mersyndol, disprin forte, morphine, oxycodone), and methadone/buprenorphine (e.g. done, junk, jungle juice, bupe, sub).

Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.