Are unemployed men or women in Australian more likely to have used pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months?
Unemployed men and women in Australia are equally likely to have used pharmaceutical drugs† for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months.
5%* of unemployed Australian men have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, 2%* have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills, and 6% have used any pharmaceutical drugs.
3% of unemployed Australian women have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, 3%* have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills, and 5% have used any pharmaceutical drugs.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
† 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 pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids (oxycodone, morphine, codeine products such as panadeine forte (excluding paracetamol, asprin and ibuprofen where these drugs are the only active ingredients)), tranquillisers/sleeping pills (e.g., sleepers, benzos, tranks, temazzies, temaze, rivotril, serepax, serries, xanax, xannies, stilnox, rohypnol, rowies, valium) and methadone/buprenorphine (e.g., done, junk, jungle juice, bupe, sub).
* 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.
Non-medical use: Drugs used:
- By itself to induce a drug experience or feeling; or
- With other drugs in order to enhance a drug experience.
Unemployed: Those who are not currently working and are actively seeking employment.