Does lifetime pharmaceutical drug use in Australia vary by jurisdiction?
Lifetime use of pharmaceutical drugs† varies according to jurisdiction.
In NSW, 62% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 23% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 65% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In VIC, 65% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 25% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 68% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In QLD, 67% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 26% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 0.9% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 70% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In WA, 69% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 27% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 0.9% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 72% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In SA, 68% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 26% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 2% have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 70% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In TAS, 68% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 27% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 2%* have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 72% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In the ACT, 70% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 25% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 1%* have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 72% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
In the NT, 67% of people have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids during their lifetime; 23% have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills; 0.7%* have used methadone/buprenorphine; and 70% had used any pharmaceutical drug.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
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 medical or 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.
Non-medical use: A drug used:
- By itself to induce a drug experience or feeling; or
- With other drugs in order to enhance a drug experience.