Where do Australians use pharmaceutical drugs for non-medical purposes?
The majority of Australians who used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids or tranquillisers/sleeping pills for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months typically used them in private homes (90% and 86%, respectively).
Among Australians who have used pain-killers/pain-relievers/opioids for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, 90% typically use them in a private home, 10% in a public place/establishment, 6% at a private party, 4%* in a car or other vehicle, 3%* at a rave/dance party, and 8% somewhere else.
Among Australians who have used tranquillisers/sleeping pills for non-medical purposes in the past 12 months, 86% typically use them in a private home, 6%* in a public place/establishment, 11% at a private party, 2%* in a car or other vehicle, 8%* at a rave/dance party, and 12% somewhere else.
* 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).
Please note: 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.
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.