Chapter
Chapter
Chapter
2016
September 2017
Abbreviations
RSE Relative standard error
MOE Margin of error (equivalent to the width of a 95% confidence interval)
Note: for the years 2001, 2004 and 2007, standard error was calculated from the drop and collect sample only and th
assisted telephone interview sample) to produce the RSE and MOE. This will result in a slight over estimate of the R
Symbols
— nil or rounded to zero
n.a. not available
not publishable because of small numbers,
n.p. confidentiality or other concerns about the quality of
the data
<0.1 non-zero estimate less than 0.1%
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsui
# statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016
nd collect sample only and then applied to the total estimates (including the caller
a slight over estimate of the RSE and MOE.
Table 5.2 Summary of lifetime drug use, people aged 14 years or older, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.3 Lifetime Illicit use of drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.4 Recent illicit use of drugs, people aged 14 years or older, 1993 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.5 Recent illicit use of drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.6 Age distribution of recent illict drug users, people aged 12 years and older, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.7 Illicit drug use, people aged 14 years or older, by social characteristics, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.8 Self-assessed health status, health conditions and psychological distress, by illicit drug use, people aged 18 years or older,
Table 5.9 Use of specific illicit drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by sex and drug type, 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.10 Use of specific illicit drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.12 Average age of initiation of lifetime drug use, people aged 14–29 years, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.13 Mean age of recent illicit drug users (selected illicit drugs), people aged 14 years or older, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Frequency of use
Table 5.14 Frequency of drug use, recent users aged 14 years or older, by sex, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.15 Frequency of drug use, recent users aged 14 years or older, by age, 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.19 Offer or opportunity to use selected drugs in the previous 12 months, people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2016 (per cent
Table 5.20 Offer or opportunity to use selected drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by use status, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.21 Recent users of selected illicit drugs by those who had the opportunity to use that drug in the previous 12 months, by age, 2
Table 5.22 Drug use by friends and acquaintances, people aged 14 years or older, by user status, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Cannabis
Table 5.23 Lifetime cannabis use, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.24 Recent use of cannabis, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.25 Recent use of cannabis, people aged 12 years or older, by 3 year age groups, 2004 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.26 Form of cannabis used, recent users aged 14 years or older, by sex, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.27 Cannabis use, people aged 14 years or older, by social characteristics, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.28 Self-assessed health status, health conditions and psychological distress, by cannabis use, people aged 18 years or older,
Table 5.29 Other drugs used at the same time as cannabis, people aged 14 years or older, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Cocaine
Table 5.30 Lifetime cocaine use, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.31 Recent use of cocaine, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.32 Cocaine use, people aged 14 years or older, by social characteristics, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.33 Self-assessed health status, health conditions and psychological distress, by cocaine use, people aged 18 years or older, 2
Table 5.34 Other drugs used at the same time as cocaine, people aged 14 years or older, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Ecstasy
Table 5.35 Lifetime ecstasy use, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.36 Recent use of ecstasy, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.37 Ecstasy use, people aged 14 years or older, by social characteristics, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.38 Self-assessed health status, health conditions and psychological distress, by ecstasy use, people aged 18 years or older, 2
Table 5.39 Forms of ecstasy used, recent users by age, 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.40 Other drugs used at the same time as ecstasy, people aged 14 years or older, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Meth/amphetamines
Table 5.41 Lifetime meth/amphetamine use, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.42 Recent use of meth/amphetamines, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.43 Form of meth/amphetamine used, recent users aged 14 years or older, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.44 Frequency of meth/amphetamine use, recent users aged 14 years or older, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.45 Crystal meth/amphetamine use, people aged 14 years and older, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.46 Frequency of meth/amphetamine use, recent users aged 14 years or older, by age, 2013 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.47 Main form of meth/amphetamines used by main method of use, recent meth/amphetamines users aged 14 years or older, 2
Table 5.48 Meth/amphetamine use, people aged 14 years or older, by social characteristics, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.49 Social characteristics , recent meth/amphetamine users aged 14 years or older, by main form of Meth/amphetamine used, 2
Table 5.50 Self-assessed health status, health conditions and psychological distress, by meth/amphetamine use, people aged 18 year
Table 5.51 Other drugs used at the same time as meth/amphetamines, people aged 14 years or older, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.54 Lifetime and other illicit use of drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by sex, 2013 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.55 Frequency of other illicit drug use and drug-taking behaviours, recent users aged 14 years or older, by sex, 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.56 Usual source of needles and syringes, recent users aged 14 years or older, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.57 Safe/unsafe needle injecting practices, recent injecting drug users, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.58 All forms of inhalants used, recent inhalant users aged 14 years or older, 2004 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.60 Usual place of drug use, recent users aged 14 years or older, by drug type, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.62 Reasons why people continued to use illicit drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2013 to 2016 (per cent)
Table 5.63 Reasons why people continued to use illicit drugs (excluding those who reported no longer using), people aged 14 years or
Table 5.64 Factors influencing the decision never to try an illicit drug, people who have never used aged 14 years or older, by sex, 200
Table 5.66 Victims of illicit drug-related incidents in the previous 12 months, people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2013 to 2016 (per c
Table 5.67 Activities done while under the influence of illicit drugs in the previous 12 months, recent users aged 14 years or older, 2007
Table 5.68 Been injured or overdosed and required medical attention while under the influence of illicit drugs, people aged 12 or older
Table 5.69 Been injured or overdosed and required medical attention while under the influence of illicit drugs, by age, recent illict drug
Table 5.70 Missed one or more days of work in the last 3 months due to illness, injury or drug use, recent users of each drug specified
findings report
drug type, people aged 14 years or older, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
16 (per cent)
ng), people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2013 to 2016 (per cent)
gs, people aged 12 or older who had used each drug in the past 12 months, 2016 (per cent)
gs, by age, recent illict drug users aged 12 or older, 2016 (per cent)
23.2
50.6
57.0#
57.4
51.9
29.9#
45.6
47.3
13.9
42.9
56.3
58.6
53.8
47.2
25.5#
44.4
20.7
46.9
53.2
52.4
44.0#
22.0#
39.8
41.3
11.7
41.1
51.2
53.8
47.4
37.7#
18.8#
38.9
22.2
48.8
55.1
54.9#
47.9
25.7#
42.6
44.3
12.9
42.2
53.6
56.2
50.5#
42.4#
22.0#
41.6
Table 5.4: Recent(a) illicit use of drugs, people aged 14 years or older, 2001 to 2016 (per
cent)
Drug/behaviour 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016
Illicit drugs (excluding pharmaceuticals)
Marijuana/cannabis 12.9 11.3 9.1 10.3 10.2 10.4
Ecstasy(b) 2.9 3.4 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.2
Meth/amphetamine(c) 3.4 3.2 2.3 2.1 2.1 1.4#
Cocaine 1.3 1.0 1.6 2.1 2.1 2.5
Hallucinogens 1.1 0.7 0.6 1.4 1.3 1.0#
Inhalants 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
Heroin 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2
Ketamine n.a. 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.4
GHB n.a. 0.1 *0.1 0.1 *<0.1 *0.1
Synthetic Cannabinoids n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 1.2 0.3#
New and Emerging Psychoactive Substances n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.4 0.3
Injected drugs 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.3
Any illicit(d)excluding pharmaceuticals 14.2 12.6 10.8 12.0 12.0 12.6
Misuse of pharmaceuticals
Pain-killers/analgesics and opioids(c)(includes
3.3 3.2 2.7 3.3 3.5 n.a.
OTC(e))
Pain-killers/analgesics and opioids(c)
n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 2.3 3.6
(excludes OTC(e))
Tranquillisers/sleeping pills(c) 1.1 1.0 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.6
Steroids(c) 0.2 *<0.1 *0.1 0.1 *0.1 *0.1
Methadone(c)or Buprenorphine(f) 0.1 *<0.1 *<0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1
Misuse of pharmaceuticals(g)(includes OTC(e)) 4.1 3.9 3.6 4.2 4.7 n.a.
Misuse of pharmaceuticals(g)(excludes OTC(e)) n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 3.6 4.8
Illicit use of any drug
Any illicit(h) 16.7 15.3 13.4 14.7 15 15.6
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months.
(b) Included 'designer drugs' before 2004.
(c) For non-medical purposes.
(d) Illicit use of at least 1 of 12 classes of drugs (excluding pharmaceuticals) in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number
and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
(e) OTC refers to paracetamol, aspirin and other non-opioid over-the-counter pain-killers/analgesics.
(f) Did not include buprenorphine before 2007.
(g) Included barbiturates up until 2007. Did not include methadone in 1993 and 1995. Did not include other opiates from
1993 anduse
(h) Illicit 1998.
of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used
has changed over time.
Note:For years 2001 to 2010, 'Pain-killers/analgesics and opioids' refers to the combined rates from the 'pain-
killer/analgesics' and 'other opiates' sections and may include the use of non-opioid over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as
paracetamol and aspirin.
In 2013, a new question was added to the survey and captured the types of prescription and over-the-counter analgesics
used allowing the 2013 data to be reanalysed including and excluding non-opioid over-the-counter drugs such as
paracetamol and aspirin.
In 2016, pain-killer/analgesics and opioids sections were combined into one section and references and questions about use
of non-opioid over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as paracetamol and aspirin were removed.
While analyses have been undertaken to make the 2013 and 2016 data as comparable as possible, the changes to the 2016
survey has resulted in a break in the time-series for pain-killers and opiates and also for the overall misuse of
pharmaceuticals. As the data are no longer comparable, significance testing was not undertaken between 2013 and 2016 for
'pain-killers/analgesics and opioids' or misuse of any pharmaceutical.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.5: Recent(a) illicit use of drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Age group (years) 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Males
14–19 28.8 20.9 15.6 18.1 20.6
20–29 39.6 37.5 32.4 30.5 31.7
30–39 24.5 25.5 20.3 22.6 23.1
40–49 14.1 15.0 14.9 16.6 15.4
50–59 8.1 7.6 8.7 10.5 13.1
60+ 4.0 4.1 4.6 5.5 7.5
14+ 19.5 18.2 15.8 17.0 18.1
18+ 19.2 18.4 16.3 17.3 18.1
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. 11.1 7.4 9.2 13.0
18–24 41.6 36.1 29.3 28.9 31.9
25–34 31.4 31.9 29.0 29.0 27.7
35–44 19.5 19.7 16.9 19.2 19.3
45–54 10.3 12.3 13.4 12.9 13.3
55–64 5.3 5.0 4.7 7.5 12.0
65+ 3.9 3.7 4.6 5.5 6.1
12+ 19.5 17.7 15.4 16.5 17.7
Females
14–19 26.5 21.8 17.7 18.2 14.5
20–29 29.5 25.6 22.9 24.3 22.9
30–39 15.2 15.1 13.0 15.0 12.1
40–49 9.3 9.5 8.5 9.0 11.8
50–59 5.2 4.8 5.4 7.1 9.1
60+ 3.8 4.0 4.0 4.9 5.4
14+ 14.0 12.5 11.0 12.3 12.0
18+ 13.3 12.1 10.7 12.1 12.1
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. 12.8 11.7 11.5 8.4
18–24 32.5 29.0 23.5 25.8 25.1
25–34 21.0 19.6 19.0 19.9 16.5
35–44 12.2 11.9 9.2 10.9 11.9
45–54 7.4 6.4 7.4 8.5 10.3
55–64 3.9 4.0 4.0 5.7 7.4
65+ 3.9 4.2 4.2 4.9 5.1
12+ 14.0 12.2 10.8 12.1 11.8
Persons
14–19 27.7 21.3 16.6 18.2 17.6
20–29 34.6 31.5 27.7 27.5 27.3
30–39 19.8 20.2 16.7 18.8 17.6
40–49 11.8 12.2 11.6 12.8 13.6
50–59 6.7 6.2 7.0 8.8 11.1
60+ 3.9 4.0 4.3 5.2 6.4
14+ 16.7 15.3 13.4 14.7 15.0
18+ 16.2 15.2 13.4 14.7 15.1
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. 12.0 9.5 10.4 10.8
18–24 37.1 32.6 26.5 27.4 28.6
25–34 26.2 25.6 23.9 24.4 22.1
35–44 15.8 15.8 13.0 15.0 15.5
45–54 8.8 9.3 10.4 10.7 11.8
55–64 4.6 4.5 4.3 6.6 9.7
65+ 3.9 4.0 4.4 5.2 5.6
12+ 16.7 14.9 13.0 14.3 14.7
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
2016
17.1
31.7
20.2
20.1#
15.0
7.9
18.3
18.6
9.9
29.6
26.5
20.8
18.3#
11.6
6.8
17.8
14.2
24.7
16.1#
12.4
8.5
5.9
13.0
13.2#
7.5
26.3
19.6#
14.3#
10.3
7.3
5.8
12.8
15.9
28.2
18.1
16.2#
11.7
6.9
15.6
15.9
8.8
28.2
22.8
17.6#
14.2#
9.5
6.3
15.3
Table 5.6: Age distribution of recent(a) illict drug users, people aged 12 years and older, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Age group (years) 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
14–19 18.4 14.3 12.3 12.4 10.9
20–29 35.4 35.4 35.0 33.3 32.5
30–39 22.8 24.1 22.0 22.3 19.8
40–49 12.9 14.5 15.4 15.1 15.4
50–59 6.1 6.2 8.2 9.1 11.5
60+ 4.4 5.5 7.1 7.8 9.9
14+ 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
2016
9.1
31.6
20.0
16.9
11.5
10.9
100.0
Table 5.7: Illicit drug use, people aged 14 years or older, by social characteristics, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Never used Ex-users(a) Recent users(b)
Characteristic 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013
Persons 62.6 60.4 58.4 57.5 24.1 24.9 26.6 26.9 13.4 14.7 15.0
Education
With post-school qualifications 57.2 55.2 52.9 52.9 28.8 30.3 31.5 31.3 14.0 14.5 15.6
Without post-school qualifications 68.9 67.2 67.5 65.8 17.2 18.0 18.8 19.7 13.9 14.9 13.7
Labour force status
Currently employed 53.2 51.1 48.8 48.8 31.6 33.1 34.4 33.5 15.1 15.8 16.8
Student 75.2 70.9 74.4 72.3 7.9 9.7 9.8 12.1 16.9 19.4 15.7
Unemployed/Looking for work 50.6 56.0 55.5 57.1 25.6 19.1 20.0 19.3 23.8 24.9 24.5
Solely engaged in home duties 59.2 55.9 56.1 55.0 32.1 33.8 34.6 35.2 8.8 10.3 9.3
Retired or on a pension 85.9 85.0 79.2 74.8# 8.6 8.9 13.7 18.2# 5.6 6.1 7.0
Volunteer/charity work n.a. 73.8 73.0 62.6# n.a. 15.7 15.8 24.1# n.a. 10.4 11.1
Unable to work 55.3 57.0 52.4 49.4 25.6 23.7 23.1 26.7 19.1 19.3 24.5
Other 63.0 56.9 61.6 63.6 21.6 26.3 23.5 23.9 15.4 16.8 14.9
Main language spoken at home
English 60.3 58.0 55.6 54.1# 25.8 26.9 28.7 29.5 13.9 15.1 15.6
Language other than English 88.5 85.2 78.9 82.3# 5.6 7.4 12.3 10.1 5.8 7.4 8.8
Socioeconomic area
Most disadvantaged 65.1 64.0 61.6 60.8 21.1 20.9 22.5 23.1 13.8 15.1 15.9
2 65.3 61.8 59.7 58.7 23.4 22.7 25.4 25.4 11.4 15.5 15.0
3 64.2 60.4 57.4 58.1 22.2 26.0 27.7 26.8 13.6 13.6 14.9
4 60.5 59.5 57.5 54.3# 26.2 26.5 27.9 29.0 13.3 14.0 14.6
Most advantaged 59.5 57.1 56.3 55.7 26.0 27.7 28.7 30.2 14.5 15.2 15.0
Remotness
Major cities 62.5 60.6 59.1 58.2 23.7 24.6 26.0 26.1 13.8 14.8 14.9
Inner regional 64.4 61.2 58.0 56.6 23.8 24.9 27.9 28.6 11.8 13.9 14.1
Outer regional 61.0 59.9 55.9 56.6 26.2 25.0 27.4 29.1 12.8 15.0 16.7
Remote and very remote 51.8 50.8 49.9 47.8 27.6 31.9 31.4 27.3 20.6 17.2 18.7
Marital status
Never married 59.8 59.4 57.8 56.7 16.7 16.1 16.2 18.0 23.5 24.4 25.9
Divorced/separated/widowed 67.3 65.6 62.4 58.6# 22.2 21.9 23.3 26.3# 10.5 12.5 14.3
Married/defacto 62.7 60.0 57.8 57.6 27.8 29.5 31.6 31.3 9.5 10.4 10.7
Indigenous status
Indigenous 47.1 46.5 47.4 45.3 28.5 28.5 28.5 27.7 24.4 25.0 24.1
Not indigenous 62.7 60.8 58.6 57.8 24.2 25.1 26.6 26.9 13.1 14.2 14.8
Household composition
Single with dependents 40.8 39.9 39.8 38.4 41.5 39.1 37.5 38.0 17.7 20.9 22.7
Couple with dependents 50.5 49.3 49.8 50.6 38.8 40.0 38.9 37.4 10.7 10.8 11.3
Parents with non dependent children 73.9 70.4 67.2 65.1 18.9 20.2 22.6 25.7# 7.2 9.3 10.2
Singles without kids 58.8 57.1 54.4 53.1 19.4 20.3 20.5 22.3 21.9 22.6 25.1
Couple without kids 71.4 69.4 65.4 62.2# 18.8 20.3 23.6 25.4 9.7 10.3 11.0
Other(c) 66.5 65.4 64.8 63.6 16.5 14.2 15.3 16.2 17.0 20.3 19.9
Sexual orientation
Hetrosexual 62.7 60.4 58.1 57.8 24.7 25.6 27.6 27.8 12.6 13.9 14.2
Homosexual/Bisexual 31.0 35.7 37.2 32.9 26.2 28.6 24.2 25.5 42.8 35.7 38.6
Not sure/Other 69.0 74.8 68.4 66.9 12.1 8.7 10.5 15.3 18.8 16.5 21.0
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
Due to the small sample sizes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, estimates should be interpreted with caution.
(a) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in their lifetime. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
(b) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
(c) People who live in a household with children, but are not the parent/guardian, younger people living with their parents or respondents who selected 'other household type'
Notes:
1. From 2013, socioeconomic quintiles are calculated using the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Prior to this, the 2006 Census of Population and housing was used. These data are considere
comparable but trends should be interpreted with caution.
2. From 2013, Remoteness Areas were defined using the 2011 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Prior to this, the 2006 Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) was
used. These data are considered comparable but trends should be interpreted with caution.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
2016
15.6
15.8
14.5
17.6
15.6
23.6
9.9
7.0
13.2
23.9
12.4
16.4
7.6
16.2
15.9
15.1
16.7
14.1
15.6
14.9
14.4
24.8
25.3
15.1
11.1
27.0
15.3
23.6
11.9
9.2
24.6
12.4
20.2
14.5
41.7
17.8
considered
SGC) was
Table 5.8: Self-assessed health status, health conditions and psychological distress, by illicit drug use, people aged 18
years or older, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Not used in the Used in the previous 12 Used in the previous
previous 12 months(a) months month All persons
Health status 2010 2013 2016 2010 2013 2016 2010 2013 2016 2010 2013 2016
Self-assessed health status(b)
Excellent 16.2 17.2 17.9 14.8 17.2 16.2 13.0 14.0 14.4 16.0 17.2 17.6
Very good 37.8 38.7 38.7 37.9 36.7 35.5 35.8 34.7 34.4 37.6 38.2 38.1
Good 34.0 32.0 31.7 34.4 32.9 35.2 36.5 35.6 36.0 34.1 32.1 32.2
Fair 10.2 10.3 9.8 11.1 10.7 10.5 12.0 12.6 12.3 10.5 10.6 10.0
Poor 1.8 1.8 2.0 1.9 2.5 2.6 2.8 3.0 2.9 1.8 2.0 2.1
Self-reported health condition(c)
Diabetes 5.7 6.7 6.7 3.3 3.6 3.9 3.4 3.7 4.1 5.4 6.3 6.4
Heart diseases(d) 20.4 21.7 21.1 10.1 11.6 11.9 10.9 11.6 12.3 19.1 20.4 19.8
Asthma 8.3 9.2 9.1 10.3 10.9 12.2 10.8 12.4 12.9 8.6 9.5 9.6
Cancer 3.0 3.1 4.0# 1.4 2.0 2.2 1.6 2.3 2.2 2.8 2.9 3.8#
Mental illness(e) 10.8 12.6 13.9# 18.7 20.7 26.5# 20.4 24.2 29.2# 12.0 13.9 15.9#
Chronic pain n.a 9.9 10.3 n.a 10.3 12.3# n.a 12.2 13.4 n.a 10.0 10.6
Other(f) 1.1 0.9 1.1 4.3 3.7 4.8 4.9 4.5 5.9 1.6 1.4 1.7
Level of psychological distress(g)
Low 71.8 71.6 70.7 57.3 56.7 51.7# 54.9 53.9 49.4# 69.6 69.3 67.7#
Moderate 19.6 19.7 19.6 25.8 25.9 26.1 26.2 26.6 24.9 20.5 20.6 20.7
High 6.5 6.5 7.3# 12.8 11.1 14.6# 14.0 12.0 16.5# 7.4 7.2 8.4#
Very high 2.1 2.1 2.4 4.1 6.4 7.6 5.0 7.5 9.2 2.4 2.8 3.2
Moderate 19.6 19.7 19.6 25.8 25.9 26.1 26.2 26.6 24.9 20.5 20.6 20.7
High/Very high 8.6 8.6 9.7# 16.9 17.5 22.2# 18.9 19.5 25.7# 9.9 10.1 11.7#
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Includes those who have never used and ex-users.
(b) In response to the question 'In general, would you say your health is...?'.
(c) Respondents could select more than one condition in response to the question 'In the last 12 months have you been diagnosed or treated for...?'
(d) Includes heart disease and hypertension (high blood pressure).
(e) Includes depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, an eating disorder and other form of psychosis.
(f) Includes sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B or C.
(g) Low: K10 score 10–15, Moderate: 16–21, High: 22–29, Very high: 30–50.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.9: Use of specific illicit drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by sex and drug type,
2016 (per cent)
Period Males Females Persons
Illicit use of any drug
In lifetime(a) 45.6 39.8 42.6
In the last 12 months(b) 18.3 13.0 15.6
In the last month(c) 10.5 6.8 8.6
In the last week(c) 7.1 4.1 5.6
Cannabis
In lifetime 38.2 31.5 34.8
In the last 12 months 13.1 7.9 10.4
In the last month 7.6 4.0 5.8
In the last week 5.5 2.5 4.0
Ecstasy
In lifetime 12.2 10.2 11.2
In the last 12 months 2.6 1.8 2.2
In the last month 0.8 0.6 0.7
In the last week *0.3 *0.2 0.2
Meth/Amphetamines(d)
In lifetime 7.3 5.3 6.3
In the last 12 months 1.8 1.0 1.4
In the last month 0.8 0.4 0.6
In the last week 0.4 0.2 0.3
Cocaine
In lifetime 10.4 7.7 9.0
In the last 12 months 3.1 2.0 2.5
In the last month 0.9 0.6 0.8
In the last week 0.4 *0.2 0.3
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
(a) Used at least 1 of 16 classes of illicit drugs in their lifetime in 2016. The number and type of drug used varied over time.
(b) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has
changed over time.
(c) Used at least 1 of 13 classes of illicit drugs in 2016. The number and type of drug varied over time
(d) For non-medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.10: Use of specific illicit drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2016 (per cent)
Period 14–19 20–29 30–39 40–49 50–59 60+ 14+ 18+
Illicit use of any drug
In lifetime(a) 22.2 48.8 55.1 54.9 47.9 25.7 42.6 44.3
In the last 12 months(b) 15.9 28.2 18.1 16.2 11.7 6.9 15.6 15.9
In the last month(c) 7.7 16.1 9.9 9.1 7.0 3.5 8.6 8.9
In the last week(c) 4.0 10.3 6.7 5.7 4.9 2.3 5.6 5.8
Cannabis
In lifetime 15.6 42.5 49.9 48.1 40.4 13.8 34.8 36.3
In the last 12 months 12.2 22.1 12.7 10.7 7.2 1.9 10.4 10.6
In the last month 6.2 12.1 6.9 6.2 4.7 0.9 5.8 5.9
In the last week 3.5 8.2 4.8 4.3 3.6 0.6 4.0 4.1
Ecstasy
In lifetime 3.7 18.7 24.7 n.a. n.a. n.a. 11.2 11.8
In the last 12 months 3.2 7.0 2.6 n.a. n.a. n.a. 2.2 2.3
In the last month *1.4 2.4 0.6 n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.7 0.7
In the last week **0.5 *0.9 *0.2 n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.2 0.2
Meth/Amphetamines(d)
In lifetime *1.4 8.0 13.8 n.a. n.a. n.a. 6.3 6.6
In the last 12 months *0.8 2.8 2.4 n.a. n.a. n.a. 1.4 1.5
In the last month **0.1 1.2 0.9 n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.6 0.6
In the last week n.p. *0.4 *0.5 n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.3 0.3
Cocaine
In lifetime 1.5 13.2 19.1 n.a. n.a. n.a. 9.0 9.5
In the last 12 months *1.0 6.9 4.6 n.a. n.a. n.a. 2.5 2.7
In the last month *0.3 2.4 1.4 n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.8 0.8
In the last week n.p. *1.0 *0.5 n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.3 0.3
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
(a) Used at least 1 of 16 classes of illicit drugs in their lifetime in 2016. The number and type of drug used varied over time.
(b) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
(c) Used at least 1 of 13 classes of illicit drugs in 2016. The number and type of drug varied over time
(d) For non-medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.11: Average age of initiation(a)of lifetime drug use, people aged 14 or older, 1995 to 2016 (years)
Drug/behaviour 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016
Illicit drugs (excluding pharmaceuticals)
Marijuana/cannabis 19.1 18.7 18.5 18.7 18.8 18.5 18.5 18.7#
Ecstasy(b) 22.7 22.7 21.9 22.8 22.6 22.2 21.7 21.7
Meth/amphetamine(c) 20.2 19.9 20.4 20.8 20.9 20.9 21.6 22.1#
Cocaine 21.1 22.3 22.6 23.5 23.1 23.3 23.5 23.9
Hallucinogens 19.1 18.8 19.1 19.5 19.6 19.8 20.0 20.4#
Inhalants 16.1 17.5 17.6 18.6 19.3 19.5 20.3 20.3
Heroin 20.6 21.5 20.7 21.2 21.9 21.4 21.6 22.0
Ketamine n.a. n.a. n.a. 23.7 24.0 23.2 23.9 24.5
GHB n.a. n.a. n.a. 23.7 24.6 23.9 23.7 24.7
Injected drugs n.a. 20.7 20.2 21.7 21.3 21.1 21.8 22.2
Any illicit(d)excluding pharmaceuticals 19.0 18.6 18.5 18.2 18.8 18.6 18.6 18.9#
Misuse of pharmaceuticals
Pain-killers/analgesics/opioids n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 23.1
Tranquillisers/sleeping pills(c) 23.8 23.4 22.8 25.2 25.7 27.0 30.3 31.4
Steroids(c) 18.7 21.6 22.5 25.2 23.9 22.9 `26.0 ``30.2#
Methadone(c)or Buprenorphine(e) n.a. 21.6 21.8 24.8 23.3 23.6 `24.8 `23.8
Misuse of pharmaceuticals(c)(f) n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 25.3
Illicit use of any drug
Any illicit(g) 18.9 18.8 18.6 19.4 19.1 19.0 19.4 19.8#
` The margin or error (width of a 95% confidence interval) was between 1.5 and 2.5 years and should be used with caution.
`` The margin or error (width of a 95% confidence interval) was between 2.5 and 3 years, meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Age first tried/used drug.
(b) Included 'designer drugs' before 2004.
(c) For non-medical purposes.
(d) Illicit use of at least 1 of 12 classes of drugs (excluding pharmaceuticals) in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
(e) Did not include buprenorphine before 2007.
(f) Prior to 2016, this referred to age pain-killers/analgesics were first used. In 2016 this refers to age at which pain-killers/analgesics and opioids were first used.
(g) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
Note: In 2016, pain-killer/analgesics and opioids sections were combined into one section and references and questions about use of non-opioid over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
such as paracetamol and aspirin were removed.
The changes to the 2016 survey has resulted in a break in the time-series for pain-killers and opiates and also for the overall misuse of pharmaceuticals. As the data are no longer
comparable, significance testing was not undertaken between 2013 and 2016 for 'pain-killers/analgesics and opioids' or misuse of any pharmaceutical.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.12: Average age of initiation(a) of lifetime drug use, people aged 14–29 years, 2001 to 2016 (years)
Drug/behaviour 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016
Illicit drugs (excluding pharmaceuticals)
Marijuana/cannabis 16.5 16.1 16.1 16.4 16.9 17.3#
Ecstasy(b) 20.4 19.6 19.2 18.8 18.8 18.7
Meth/amphetamine(c) 19.3 18.9 18.8 18.6 19.4 19.3
Cocaine 21.5 20.2 20.4 20.5 20.5 20.5
Hallucinogens 18.5 17.8 18.3 19.0 19.1 19.5
Inhalants 17.1 16.8 n.p. 16.8 17.6 17.2
Heroin n.p. 19.4 18.7 18.9 `19.1 `17.0#
Ketamine n.a. 20.4 20.5 20.1 20.5 20.1
GHB n.a. 20.7 20.8 20.6 20.5 20.1
Injected drugs ``23.2 18.4 18.2 18.9 19.3 `20.4
Any illicit(d)excluding pharmaceuticals 16.6 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.9 17.1
Misuse of pharmaceuticals
Pain-killers/analgesics/opioids n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 15.8
Tranquillisers/sleeping pills(c) 19.6 19.4 19.6 19.5 19.9 19.4
Steroids(c) n.p. 19.8 `19.2 `21.7 22.6 20.4#
Methadone(c)or Buprenorphine(e) n.p. 18.0 18.9 20.7 20.6 19.2
Misuse of pharmaceuticals(c)(f) n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 16.7
Illicit use of any drug
Any illicit(g) 16.8 15.9 16.1 16.2 16.6 16.7
` The margin or error (width of a 95% confidence interval) was between 1.5 and 2.5 years and should be used with caution.
`` The margin or error (width of a 95% confidence interval) was between 2.5 and 3 years, meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Age first tried/used drug.
(b) Included 'designer drugs' before 2004.
(c) For non-medical purposes.
(d) Illicit use of at least 1 of 12 classes of drugs (excluding pharmaceuticals) in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has
changed over time.
(e) Did not include buprenorphine before 2007.
(f) Prior to 2016, this referred to age pain-killers/analgesics were first used. In 2016 this refers to age at which pain-killers/analgesics and opioids were first used.
(g) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
Note: In 2016, pain-killer/analgesics and opioids sections were combined into one section and references and questions about use of non-opioid over-the-counter
(OTC) drugs such as paracetamol and aspirin were removed.
The changes to the 2016 survey has resulted in a break in the time-series for pain-killers and opiates and also for the overall misuse of pharmaceuticals. As the
data are no longer comparable, significance testing was not undertaken between 2013 and 2016 for 'pain-killers/analgesics and opioids' or misuse of any
pharmaceutical.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.13: Mean age of recent(a) illicit drug users (selected illicit drugs), people aged 14 years or
older, 2001 to 2016 (years)
Drug/behaviour 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016
Illicit drugs (excluding pharmaceuticals)
Cannabis 28.9 29.9 31.1 31.5 33.0 34.0#
Ecastasy(b) 25.0 26.3 27.2 27.5 27.3 27.9
Meth/amphetamines(c) 25.7 26.9 28.9 29.6 30.1 34.2#
Cocaine 27.8 28.6 28.8 29.2 30.9 31.5
Hallucinogens 24.1 25.3 26.2 25.7 25.5 28.1#
Inhalants `28.1 `27.9 ``33.7 ``33.2 ``36.5 `37.1
Heroin n.p. `28.4 ``31.7 n.p. ``34.9 n.p.
Injected drugs 27.3 30.0 `32.9 `33.5 `35.9 n.p.
Any illicit(d)excluding pharmaceuticals 29.1 29.8 31.1 31.6 33.2 34.3#
Pain-killers/analgesics and opioids(c)(excludes OTC(e)) n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 44.9
Misuse of pharmaceuticals(f)(includes OTC(e)) 38.7 40.9 42.4 43.5 43.2 n.a.
Misuse of pharmaceuticals(f)(excludes OTC(e)) n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 40.4 44.6
Any illicit(g) 31.5 32.8 34.3 35.1 36.5 37.6#
` The margin or error (width of a 95% confidence interval) was between 2 and 3 years and should be used with caution.
`` The margin or error (width of a 95% confidence interval) was between 3 and 4 years, meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Use of the specified illicit drug in the previous 12 months.
(b) Included 'designer drugs' before 2004.
(c) For non-medical purposes.
(d) Illicit use of at least 1 of 12 classes of drugs (excluding pharmaceuticals) in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs
used has changed over time.
(e) OTC refers to paracetamol, aspirin and other non-opioid over-the-counter pain-killers/analgesics.
(f) Included barbiturates up until 2007. Did not include methadone in 1993 and 1995. Did not include other opiates from 1993 and 1998.
(g) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
Note: In 2016, pain-killer/analgesics and opioids sections were combined into one section and references and questions about use of non-opioid
over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as paracetamol and aspirin were removed.
The changes to the 2016 survey has resulted in a break in the time-series for pain-killers and opiates and also for the overall misuse of
pharmaceuticals. As the data are no longer comparable, significance testing was not undertaken between 2013 and 2016 for 'pain-killers/analgesics
and opioids' or misuse of any pharmaceutical.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.14: Frequency of drug use, recent(a) users aged 14 years or older, by sex, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Males Females Persons
Frequency of use 2010 2013 2016 2010 2013 2016 2010 2013
Cannabis
Every day 13.8 12.0 15.7# 11.7 14.1 12.3 13.0 12.8
Once a week or more 23.3 22.3 25.3 17.0 14.9 16.5 20.9 19.5
About once a month 15.2 12.9 11.4 10.6 13.4 13.2 13.5 13.1
Every few months 17.7 18.3 17.2 18.4 18.2 17.7 17.9 18.3
Once or twice a year 30.0 34.4 30.5 42.3 39.4 40.3 34.6 36.3
Ecstasy
At least once a week or more *3.5 **1.8 **1.5 *2.9 **1.0 **2.5 *3.3 *1.5
About once a month 11.7 10.6 12.8 13.1 15.5 15.1 12.2 12.3
Every few months 33.4 38.8 33.1 28.2 20.8 32.5# 31.4 32.4
Once or twice a year 51.4 48.8 52.7 55.7 62.7 49.8# 53.1 53.7
Meth/Amphetamines(b)
At least once a week or more 10.3 13.0 23.5# *7.8 20.1 15.2 9.3 15.5
About once a month 15.7 16.9 *10.0 15.4 16.1 *11.6 15.6 16.6
Every few months 27.2 23.4 23.2 24.9 13.5 27.1# 26.3 19.8
Once or twice a year 46.8 46.8 43.2 51.9 50.3 46.2 48.8 48.0
Cocaine
At least once a week or more *3.7 *2.2 *2.5 **1.1 **2.5 *4.1 *2.8 *2.3
About once a month 9.9 8.1 7.6 *10.3 *9.2 *6.0 10.0 8.4
Every few months 27.2 19.5 27.6 25.0 14.8 22.9 26.4 18.0
Once or twice a year 59.2 70.2 62.3 63.6 73.5 67.0 60.8 71.3
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months.
(b) For non-medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Persons
2016
14.4
22.0
12.1
17.3
34.3
*1.9
13.8
32.9
51.5
20.4
10.6#
24.7
44.3
*3.2
6.9
25.7#
64.2
Table 5.15: Frequency of drug use, recent(a) users aged 14 years or older, by age, 2016 (per cent)
Frequency of use 14–19 20–29 30–39 40–49 50–59 60+ 14+ 18+
Cannabis
Every day *9.3 14.9 12.9 15.6 17.6 16.7 14.4 14.6
Once a week or more 20.8 20.9 22 21.9 27.2 20.8 22 22.1
About once a month 11.8 12.5 10 13.7 12.9 *10.5 12.1 12.2
Every few months 14.6 18.2 17.8 17.4 16.1 16.9 17.3 17.5
Once or twice a year 43.5 33.5 37.3 31.3 26.2 35 34.3 33.6
Ecstasy
At least once a month *21.8 20.2 *7.1 n.p. n.p. n.p. 15.7 15.4
Every few months 34.5 36.7 27.5 n.p. n.p. n.p. 32.9 33.2
Once or twice a year 43.7 43.1 65.4 n.p. n.p. n.p. 51.5 51.3
Meth/Amphetamines(b)
At least once a week or more n.p. *18.9 18.7 n.p. n.p. n.p. 20.4 20.9
About once a month **9.0 *10.0 *14.8 n.p. n.p. n.p. 10.6 10.4
Every few months n.p. 31.6 21.4 n.p. n.p. n.p. 24.7 25.3
Once or twice a year 81.6 39.5 45.1 n.p. n.p. n.p. 44.3 43.5
Cocaine
At least once a month **20.8 10.0 *9.4 n.p. n.p. n.p. 10.1 9.8
Every few months *36.0 28.4 26.4 n.p. n.p. n.p. 25.7 25.8
Once or twice a year *43.2 61.6 64.2 n.p. n.p. n.p. 64.2 64.4
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
n.p. not published because of small numbers, confidentiality or other concerns about the quality of the data.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months.
(b) For non-medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.16: Proportion of recent(a) users that couldn't stop or cut down even though they wanted to, by illicit drug type,
people aged 14 years or older, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Drug type 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016
Marijuana/cannabis 13.9 14.5 12.1 11.2 10.0 9.5
Ecstasy(b) 5.7 3.1 *4.0 *2.5 *2.6 *1.7
Meth/amphetamines(c) 11.1 5.4 13.3 5.5 11.7 12.7
Cocaine *3.3 *4.5 *2.8 *3.5 *1.4 *2.0
Hallucinogens *3.3 **1.9 **3.1 **1.4 *0.5 n.p.
Inhalants **5.9 *4.5 *11.9 *2.3 *5.3 *5.9
Heroin 38.7 53.1 60.7 44.1 *40.0 44.2
Pain-killers/analgesics/opioids(c) n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 10.7
Tranquillisers/sleeping pills(c) 14.8 8.0 15.7 5.4 9.5 8.0
Steroids(c) *13.1 n.p. **22.1 **11.9 2.5 **7.1
Methadone/Buprenorphine(d) **22.8 **19.5 **28.9 *15.0 *22.2 *20.4
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Use of the specified illicit drug in the previous 12 months.
(b) Included 'designer drugs' before 2004.
(c) For non-medical purposes.
(d) Did not include buprenorphine before 2007.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.17: Participation in drug treatment programs, by type of drug used, people aged 14 year or older, 2016 (per cent)
Current Current Recent illicit Ex-illicit drug
Drug type smoker(a) Ex-smoker(b) drinker(c) Ex-drinker(d) drug user(e) user(f) Persons
Telephone helplines (e.g. Quit, Lifeline) 6.5 2.5 1.9 2.2 3.6 2.7 1.7
Peer group community-based support (e.g. AA 2.7 1.7 1.0 2.7 2.8 1.6 1.0
Withdrawal management (detoxification-naltr 1.9 0.7 0.5 1.0 2.0 0.5 0.5
Counselling 7.9 3.1 2.4 4.0 7.4 3.1 2.3
Therapeutic community 1.1 0.7 0.4 0.7 1.2 0.6 0.4
Online/Internet support 3.3 0.8 1.0 *0.9 2.1 1.5 0.9
Residential rehabilitation 1.9 0.7 0.5 *2.2 2.0 0.8 0.6
Information and education 8.1 3.9 2.9 3.0 6.2 4.0 2.7
Opioid pharmacotherapy (e.g. Methadone mai 0.9 *0.2 0.2 *0.5 1.0 *0.2 0.2
Medications to help quit smoking (e.g. Zyban 13.6 6.4 4.0 5.1 6.3 6.3 3.5
Medications to help with problem drinking 1.1 *0.4 0.3 *0.7 0.8 0.6 0.3
Other 2.8 1.8 0.9 *1.6 1.7 1.6 0.9
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
(a) Includes people who reported smoking daily, weekly or less than weekly.
(b) Smoked at least 100 cigarettes (manufactured and/or roll-your-own) or the equivalent amount of tobacco in their life, and reported no longer smoking.
(c) Consumed at least a full serve of alcohol in the previous 12 months.
(d) Consumed at least a full serve of alcohol, but not in the previous 12 months.
(e) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
(f) Used illicit drugs previously, but not in previous 12 months.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.18: Offer or opportunity to use selected drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by sex, 2004 to 2016 (per cent)
Males Females
Drug/behaviour 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2004
Meth/amphetamine(a) 8.3 6.1 5.0 7.0 6.3 5.4 3.7 2.8 4.6 4.7 6.8
Cannabis 24.4 20.4 21.7 24.8 24.6 16.8 13.9 14.1 16.6 17.8 20.6
Cocaine 3.6 4.7 5.7 6.7 6.5 2.6 3.1 3.2 3.8 4.7# 3.1
Ecstasy 9.7 9.6 9.1 9.0 7.4# 6.0 6.6 5.3 5.4 5.5 7.8
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) For non-medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Persons
2007 2010 2013 2016
4.9 3.9 5.8 5.5
17.1 17.9 20.6 21.2
3.9 4.4 5.2 5.6
8.1 7.2 7.2 6.4#
Table 5.19: Offer or opportunity to use selected drugs in the previous 12 months, people aged 14 years or
older, by age, 2016 (per cent)
Age group (years) Cannabis Ecstasy Meth/amphetamines(a) Cocaine
14–19 30.3 8.4 5.4 4.4
20–29 41.8 18.5 10.8 13.7
30–39 25.6 8.4 8.4 10.2
40–49 21.7 4.4 6.4 4.8
50–59 14.5 1.5 3.2 1.3
60+ 4.2 *0.2 0.7 *0.3
14+ 21.2 6.4 5.5 5.6
18+ 21.0 6.5 5.6 5.8
Additional age groups
12–17 17.7 3.7 3.6 *1.4
18–24 44.7 19.2 9.7 12.7
25–34 32.5 12.8 10.1 12.3
35–44 23.9 6.4 7.6 7.8
45–54 17.9 2.4 4.4 2.6
55–64 11.6 1.1 2.2 0.8
65+ 2.2 **0.1 *0.4 *0.2
12+ 20.7 6.3 5.4 5.4
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
(a) For non-medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.20: Offer or opportunity to use selected drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by use status, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Never used Ex-user(a) Recent(b) user
Drug/behaviour 2010 2013 2016 2010 2013 2016 2010 2013 2016
Cannabis 4.3 6.4 6.3 18.7 25.3 27.0 100 100 100
Ecstasy 2.5 3.0 2.4# 25.2 21.8 22.7 100 100 100
Meth/amphetamine(c) 1.1 2.6 3.0# 15.1 25.2 26.2 100 100 100
Cocaine 1.6 1.8 1.9 15.6 21.9 19.6 100 100 100
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Question asked as 'Have you ever used...' from 2001 to 2010. Used at least once in lifetime.
(b) Used in the previous 12 months.
(c) For non-medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Persons
2010 2013 2016
17.9 20.6 21.2
7.2 7.2 6.4#
3.9 5.8 5.5
4.4 5.2 5.6
Table 5.21: Recent users of selected illicit drugs by those who had the opportunity to use that drug in the previous
12 months, by age, 2016 (per cent)
Age groups (years) Cannabis Ecstasy Meth/amphetamines(a) Cocaine
14–19 40.3 38.2 *15.2 23.7
20–29 53.1 38.6 25.9 50.0
30–39 50.0 31.4 28.2 45.7
40–49 49.8 22.6 31.7 46.6
50–59 50.1 *25.1 18.8 41.3
60+ 45.5 *47.2 **13.3 *26.9
14+ 49.6 34.7 25.7 45.7
18+ 50.8 35.2 26.4 46.4
Additional age groups
12–17 32.2 *24.3 **10.1 **11.7
18–24 52.7 42.1 23.6 40.4
25–34 50.7 34.9 27.2 52.2
35–44 49.5 25.3 31.6 44.7
45–54 52.9 24.7 26.1 48.0
55–64 47.7 *28.8 *14.3 40.0
65+ 40.9 *57.8 **20.7 **22.5
12+ 49.5 34.6 25.5 45.7
Sex
Males 53.3 35.0 28.1 47.5
Females 44.3 34.2 22.2 43.3
Persons 49.5 34.6 25.5 45.7
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
(a) For non-medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.22: Drug use by friends and acquaintances, people aged 14 years or older, by user status(a), 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Never used Ex-user(b) Recent user(c)
Drug/behaviour 2010 2013 2016 2010 2013 2016 2010 2013 2016
Cannabis
All or most 1.2 0.8 0.8 2.8 2.0 2.0 24.4 19.8 20.9
About half or fewer 23.5 28.9 28.4 64.6 69.9 70.4 73.2 78.3 77.9
None 75.4 70.3 70.8 32.6 28.2 27.5 2.4 1.9 1.2
Ecstasy
All or most 0.4 *0.2 *0.2 2.6 2.7 1.7 18.9 23.9 27.0
About half or fewer 11.6 11.5 10.2# 64.5 60.5 61.9 77.3 74.5 71.0
None 88.0 88.3 89.5# 33.0 36.8 36.4 3.8 *1.6 *2.0
Meth/Amphetamines(d)
All or most 0.2 0.3 0.2 *0.9 *1.7 *1.3 9.4 10.9 8.8
About half or fewer 3.9 8.6 9.1 40.0 55.5 54.4 71.0 82.1 86.8
None 95.9 91.2 90.7 59.0 42.9 44.2 19.6 6.9 *4.4
Cocaine
All or most 0.2 *0.1 *0.2 *1.0 *1.0 *1.5 10.8 10.3 6.1#
About half or fewer 7.0 7.6 7.7 48.1 58.3 59.3 83.4 86.6 90.6
None 92.7 92.3 92.2 50.9 40.7 39.2 5.8 *3.1 *3.3
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Use status refers to the use of each drug specified.
(b) Question asked as 'Have you ever used...' from 2001 to 2010. Used at least once in lifetime.
(c) Used in the previous 12 months.
(d) For non-medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Persons
2010 2013 2016
10.8
9.6
12.2
11.4
18.7
6.7
2.6
*6.1
17.6
8.5
11.3
3.3#
10.7
10.8
10.1
11.2
9.4
10.4
10.1
9.3#
17.0
19.7
8.8
6.4
19.4
10.2
17.3
7.3
4.8
17.8
7.2#
15.3
9.7
31.4
12.7
considered
SGC) was
Table 5.28: Self-assessed health status, health conditions and psychological distress, by cannabis use, people aged 18 years or older, 200
Not used in the previous 12 months(a) Used in the previous 12 months Used in the previous month
Health status 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016
Self-assessed health status(b)
Excellent 16.2 16.1 17.2 17.8 13.6 14.7 17.3 16.0 11.9 12.4 13.8 14.5
Very good 37.8 37.6 38.3 38.5 34.4 38.2 37.9 35.5 32.5 34.9 36.0 33.0
Good 33.5 34.0 32.0 31.7 39.4 35.3 32.8 36.3# 41.4 38.8 35.3 37.0
Fair 10.5 10.5 10.5 9.9 10.6 10.1 9.9 10.1 11.6 11.3 12.6 12.7
Poor 2.0 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.0 1.6 2.1 2.0 2.5 2.6 2.4 2.7
Self-reported health condition(c)
Diabetes 5.8 5.8 6.8 6.7 1.4 2.0 1.4 2.6# 1.6 2.1 *1.1 *2.3
Heart diseases(d) 19.0 20.5 21.8 21.3 5.8 5.9 7.2 6.7 6.2 6.4 6.4 6.7
Asthma 8.4 8.5 9.5 9.4 10.5 10.0 9.8 11.1 10.0 10.4 11.4 11.9
Cancer 2.8 3.0 3.2 4.0# 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.6 0.7 *1.0 *0.8 1.7#
Mental illness(e) 10.8 11.3 13.0 14.4# 15.7 18.7 21.2 28.2# 17.0 20.5 25.3 30.5#
Chronic pain n.a n.a 9.9 10.4 n.a n.a 10.0 11.9 n.a n.a 12.8 12.9
Other(f) n.a 1.2 1.1 1.2 n.a 4.7 3.5 5.1 n.a 4.9 4.3 6.0
Level of psychological distress(g)
Low 70.1 71.1 70.7 69.9 52.8 56.7 57.1 49.6# 51.2 54.8 55.4 49.0#
Moderate 20.8 19.8 20.1 19.9 28.0 27.0 25.9 26.6 27.2 26.1 24.6 24.2
High 7.2 6.8 6.8 7.6# 14.6 12.7 11.0 15.4# 15.7 14.9 12.2 16.6#
Very high 1.9 2.3 2.4 2.6 4.6 3.6 5.9 8.4# 5.8 4.2 7.7 10.2
High to Very high n.a 9.1 9.2 10.2# n.a 16.4 16.9 23.8# n.a 19.1 19.9 26.8#
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Includes those who have never used and ex-users.
(b) In response to the question 'In general, would you say your health is...?'.
(c) Respondents could select more than one condition in response to the question 'In the last 12 months have you been diagnosed or treated for...?'
(d) Includes heart disease and hypertension (high blood pressure).
(e) Includes depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, an eating disorder and other form of psychosis.
(f) Includes sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B or C.
(g) Low: K10 score 10–15, Moderate: 16–21, High: 22–29, Very high: 30–50.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
er, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
All persons
2007 2010 2013 2016
*1.6
13.9
20.8
14.6#
4.5
10.4
11.0
**0.3
8.5
20.4
18.8#
10.7#
3.4
10.1
*1.4
12.5
17.4#
9.5
2.3
7.7#
8.1#
*0.4
8.5
16.1
14.1#
6.1
1.7
7.5#
1.5
13.2
19.1#
12.0#
3.4
9.0#
9.5#
*0.3
8.5
18.1
16.5#
8.3#
2.5
8.8#
Table 5.31: Recent(a) use of cocaine, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016
(per cent)
Age group (years) 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016
Males
14–19 *1.7 *0.6 **0.8 *1.5 *1.1 *1.3
20–29 5.2 3.7 7.0 7.8 7.3 7.3
30–39 1.8 2.4 3.8 4.8 5.4 5.7
40–49 *0.7 *0.5 *1.2 1.4 2.4 3.2
50+ **0.1 **<0.1 *0.2 *0.2 0.5 0.4
14+ 1.6 1.3 2.2 2.7 2.9 3.1
18+ 1.7 1.4 2.4 2.9 3.1 3.3
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. n.p. n.p. **0.2 **0.5 **0.3
18–24 5.1 2.6 5.6 6.4 5.4 5.7
25–34 3.7 3.8 6.0 7.1 7.4 7.3
35–44 1.0 1.2 2.2 3.1 3.7 4.6
45–54 **0.1 *0.3 *0.8 *0.6 1.5 1.8
55+ **0.2 n.p. **<0.1 **<0.1 *0.2 *0.3
12+ 1.6 1.2 2.2 2.6 2.8 3.0
Females
14–19 *1.3 *1.4 *1.4 *1.2 *1.1 *0.8
20–29 3.4 2.3 3.1 5.0 4.6 6.5
30–39 1.1 1.1 1.9 2.6 1.6 3.5#
40–49 *0.5 *0.3 *0.3 *0.5 1.0 1.3
50+ **<0.1 **<0.1 **<0.1 *<0.1 *0.1 *0.1
14+ 1.0 0.8 1.0 1.5 1.4 2.0#
18+ 1.0 0.8 1.1 1.6 1.4 2.1#
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. *0.8 **0.6 **0.2 **1.1 n.p.
18–24 3.7 2.4 3.2 4.3 3.8 4.5
25–34 1.8 1.7 2.8 4.3 3.2 5.7#
35–44 0.6 0.6 *0.8 1.3 1.6 2.4
45–54 *0.3 **<0.1 **0.1 *0.4 *0.5 *0.7
55+ **<0.1 **<0.1 n.p. n.p. **<0.1 **<0.1
12+ 1.0 0.8 1.0 1.5 1.4 2.0#
Persons
14–19 1.5 *1.0 *1.1 1.3 *1.1 *1.0
20–29 4.3 3.0 5.1 6.5 5.9 6.9
30–39 1.5 1.8 2.9 3.7 3.5 4.6#
40–49 0.6 *0.4 0.7 1.0 1.7 2.2
50+ *0.1 *<0.1 *0.1 *0.1 0.3 0.2
14+ 1.3 1.0 1.6 2.1 2.1 2.5
18+ 1.4 1.1 1.7 2.3 2.2 2.7#
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. *0.4 **0.4 *0.2 *0.8 **0.2
18–24 4.4 2.5 4.4 5.4 4.6 5.1
25–34 2.8 2.7 4.4 5.7 5.3 6.4
35–44 0.8 0.9 1.5 2.2 2.6 3.5
45–54 *0.2 *0.2 *0.4 0.5 1.0 1.2
55+ *0.1 **<0.1 **<0.1 **<0.1 *0.1 *0.2
12+ 1.3 1.0 1.6 2.1 2.1 2.5
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.32: Cocaine use, people aged 14 years or older, by social characteristics, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Never used Ex-users(a) Recent users(b)
Characteristic 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013
Persons 94.1 92.8 92.3 91.0# 4.2 5.1 5.5 6.4# 1.6 2.1 2.1
Education
With post-school qualifications 95.8 91.1 90.2 89.1# 2.9 6.4 7.1 7.9# 1.3 2.6 2.8
Without post-school qualifications 92.7 94.9 95.8 94.6# 5.2 3.5 3.1 3.8# 2.0 1.6 1.1
Labour force status
Currently employed 92.1 90.2 89.5 87.4# 5.6 6.8 7.5 8.8# 2.3 3.0 3.0
Student 96.3 94.6 95.7 95.6 1.9 3.1 2.7 2.4 1.8 2.3 *1.7
Unemployed/Looking for work 90.5 91.8 90.5 91.9 8.2 6.0 5.3 5.7 1.3 2.2 4.2
Solely engaged in home duties 96.0 93.2 91.6 90.3 3.4 6.2 7.8 9.1 0.6 *0.6 *0.6
Retired or on a pension 98.9 99.3 98.7 98.5 1.1 0.7 1.2 1.3 <0.1 **<0.1 **<0.1
Volunteer/charity work n.a. 96.5 97.1 96.2 n.a. *3.5 **2.1 *3.8 n.a. n.p. n.p.
Unable to work 90.3 91.4 92.7 91.4 7.7 7.9 5.6 7.5 2.0 **0.8 *1.6
Other 92.6 93.1 96.4 91.5# 6.6 5.0 *2.0 7.7# 0.8 *1.8 **1.5
Main language spoken at home
English 93.8 92.2 91.6 90.1# 4.5 5.5 6.1 7.1# 1.7 2.3 2.3
Language other than English 98.6 98.4 97.6 98.0 1.1 *1.2 1.6 1.4 0.4 *0.4 *0.8
Socioeconomic area
Most disadvantaged 96.4 95.0 94.2 93.9 3.2 4.0 4.6 4.9 0.5 1.0 1.2
2 96.1 94.7 94.2 92.2# 3.2 3.9 4.4 5.8# 0.7 1.4 1.4
3 95.1 93.0 92.7 91.6 3.7 5.5 5.4 6.1 1.2 1.5 1.9
4 93.8 92.2 91.2 88.1# 4.4 5.6 6.3 7.9# 1.8 2.2 2.5
Most advantaged 90.7 89.5 90.0 89.1 6.0 6.2 6.5 7.6 3.3 4.3 3.5
Remotness
Major cities 93.1 91.8 91.6 90.1# 4.8 5.6 5.8 6.8# 2.1 2.6 2.6
Inner regional 96.8 94.7 94.7 93.3 2.6 4.3 4.5 5.4 0.6 1.0 0.8
Outer regional 95.3 95.7 94.1 93.8 4.3 3.4 4.8 5.4 0.4 *0.9 *1.1
Remote and very remote 95.0 92.6 92.0 91.5 2.7 5.3 5.6 7.9 2.3 **2.0 *2.5
Marital status
Never married 91.2 90.4 89.9 88.4 5.1 5.1 5.3 6.3 3.8 4.5 4.8
Divorced/separated/widowed 95.4 94.8 94.5 93.6 3.9 4.3 4.8 5.0 0.7 0.9 0.7
Married/defacto 95.1 93.4 92.9 91.7# 4.0 5.3 5.8 6.8# 0.9 1.3 1.4
Indigenous status
Indigenous 92.4 95.9 93.4 91.7 6.3 *3.2 4.8 6.4 1.3 **0.9 *1.9
Not indigenous 94.2 92.7 92.3 91.0# 4.2 5.2 5.5 6.4# 1.6 2.1 2.2
Household composition
Single with dependents 91.1 89.1 88.2 86.3 7.2 9.1 10.2 11.4 1.7 1.8 *1.6
Couple with dependents 93.8 91.1 90.9 89.0# 5.4 7.5 7.6 9.4# 0.8 1.3 1.5
Parents with non dependent children 97.8 97.2 97.2 95.8# 1.8 2.3 2.5 3.6 0.5 *0.5 *0.3
Singles without kids 89.6 88.6 88.1 86.6 6.7 7.0 6.9 7.6 3.7 4.4 5.0
Couple without kids 95.5 94.3 93.9 92.6# 3.3 3.8 4.4 5.1 1.2 1.8 1.6
Other(c) 94.5 93.9 93.6 93.0 3.3 3.1 3.5 3.9 2.2 2.9 2.9
Sexual orientation
Hetrosexual 94.3 92.9 92.4 91.3# 4.1 5.0 5.5 6.4# 1.5 2.1 2.1
Homosexual/Bisexual 80.2 82.0 79.0 76.8 13.4 13.6 15.1 14.2 6.4 4.4 5.9
Not sure/Other 95.2 95.1 93.5 95.1 3.4 *2.5 *4.2 3.7 1.4 *2.4 *2.3
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses..
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016..
Due to the small sample sizes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, estimates should be interpreted with caution..
(a) Used cocaine previously, but not in previous 12 months..
(b) Used in the previous 12 months..
(c) People who live in a household with children, but are not the parent/guardian, younger people living with their parents or respondents who selected 'other household type'.
Notes:.
1. From 2013, socioeconomic quintiles are calculated using the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Prior to this, the 2006 Census of Population and housing was used. These data are considere
comparable but trends should be interpreted with caution..
2. From 2013, Remoteness Areas were defined using the 2011 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Prior to this, the 2006 Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) was
These data are considered comparable but trends should be interpreted with caution..
Source: NDSHS 2016..
2016
2.5
3.0
1.6
3.8#
2.0
*2.4
*0.5
*0.2
n.p.
*1.1
**0.8
2.7
*0.6
1.2
2.0
2.3
4.0#
3.3
3.2#
1.3
*0.7
*0.7
5.3
1.4#
1.5
**1.8
2.6#
*2.3
1.6
*0.6
5.8
2.3#
3.2
2.4
8.9
*1.2
sidered
) was used.
Table 5.33: Self-assessed health status, health conditions and psychological distress, by cocaine use, people aged 18 years or older,
2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Not used in the previous 12 months(a) Used in the previous 12 months All persons
Health status 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016
Self-assessed health status(b)
Excellent 16.0 15.9 17.1 17.4 18.1 20.6 21.3 22.7 15.9 16.0 17.2 17.6
Very good 37.6 37.6 38.3 38.1 40.1 42.4 40.3 42.9 37.5 37.6 38.2 38.1
Good 33.9 34.3 32.2 32.3 33.0 27.6 30.0 29.1 33.9 34.1 32.1 32.2
Fair 10.5 10.5 10.5 10.1 7.9 8.1 6.5 *4.0 10.6 10.5 10.6 10.0
Poor 2.1 1.8 1.9 2.1 0.9 *1.3 *1.9 *1.3 2.1 1.8 2.0 2.1
Self-reported health condition(c)
Diabetes 5.6 5.5 6.4 6.4 0.9 **0.5 **0.8 *1.6 5.6 5.4 6.3 6.4
Heart diseases(d) 18.6 19.4 20.7 20.2 4.4 *2.3 *3.5 *3.0 18.4 19.1 20.4 19.8
Asthma 8.4 8.7 9.6 9.5 12.1 6.7 7.8 9.5 8.5 8.6 9.5 9.6
Cancer 2.7 2.9 3.0 3.8# 0.2 **0.4 **1.0 *0.8 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.8#
Mental illness(e) 11.1 11.9 13.7 15.6# 15.2 17.4 17.4 24.6# 11.1 12.0 13.9 15.9#
Chronic pain n.a n.a 10.0 10.7 n.a. n.a 5.9 5.8 n.a n.a 10.0 10.6
Other(f) n.a 1.5 1.3 1.5 n.a. 5.5 *2.0 6.6# n.a 1.6 1.4 1.7
Level of psychological distress(g)
Low 69.6 70.0 69.8 68.2# 45.8 55.0 55.3 50.4 69.0 69.6 69.3 67.7#
Moderate 20.9 20.3 20.4 20.5 35.8 27.4 27.4 27.7 21.1 20.5 20.6 20.7
High 7.4 7.3 7.1 8.2# 14.4 14.1 11.7 16.9 7.7 7.4 7.2 8.4#
Very high 2.1 2.4 2.7 3.1# 3.9 3.4 5.6 5.1 2.2 2.4 2.8 3.2
High to Very high n.a 9.6 9.7 11.3# n.a 17.5 17.3 21.9 n.a 9.9 10.1 11.7#
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Includes those who have never used and ex-users.
(b) In response to the question 'In general, would you say your health is...?'.
(c) Respondents could select more than one condition in response to the question 'In the last 12 months have you been diagnosed or treated for...?'
(d) Includes heart disease and hypertension (high blood pressure).
(e) Includes depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, an eating disorder and other form of psychosis.
(f) Includes sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B or C.
(g) Low: K10 score 10–15, Moderate: 16–21, High: 22–29, Very high: 30–50.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.34: Other drugs used at the same time as cocaine, people aged 14 years or older, 2010
to 2016 (per cent)
Drug type 2010 2013 2016
Alcohol 96.2 81.9 93.8#
Tobacco 56.5 46.8 43.6
Tranquillisers/sleeping pills *4.4 3.8 *2.3
Pain-killers/opiates *5.1 *3.5 4.7
Marijuana/cannabis 37.9 39.8 30.7#
Meth/amphetamine(a) 17.1 13.0 7.0#
Ecstasy 35.3 20.8 26.7
Other 5.8 8.1 9.2
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) For non-medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.35: Lifetime(a) ecstasy(b) use, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Age group (years) 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016
Males
14-19 7.2 5.7 4.8 5.6 4.5 4.1
20-29 22.5 25.8 25.7 25.0 24.2 18.7#
30-39 8.9 15.2 19.8 24.1 27.5 25.9
40-49 2.9 5.3 7.0 10.5 12.6 17.5#
50+ *0.4 0.7 1.5 1.1 2.3 3.0
14+ 7.1 9.1 10.2 11.6 12.6 12.2
18+ 7.4 9.6 10.8 12.3 13.4 12.9
Additional age groups
12-17 n.a. *1.1 *1.1 *1.3 **0.5 *1.5
18-24 20.9 20.9 17.9 20.3 17.1 12.7#
25-34 16 23.7 28.4 28.2 30.5 25.6#
35-44 5.1 8.8 12.8 16.7 20.1 23.8#
45-54 1.4 2.9 4.7 5.4 7.1 10.7#
55+ *0.1 *0.4 *0.7 0.6 1.5 1.9
12+ 7.1 8.8 9.8 11.2 12.2 11.9
Females
14-19 6.8 6.8 7.2 3.8 3.4 3.3
20-29 16.9 18.2 22.1 23.4 20.0 18.7
30-39 5.9 9.9 14.2 19.8 18.6 23.5#
40-49 1.8 2.3 4.0 5.7 11.0 12.2
50+ *0.1 *0.1 *0.4 0.7 1.2 1.8#
14+ 5.1 6.0 7.6 9.1 9.2 10.2
18+ 5.1 6.1 7.8 9.5 9.7 10.7#
Additional age groups
12-17 n.a. 2.9 3.3 *1.4 *1.3 *0.5
18-24 17.1 16.5 18.4 17.6 14.8 13.8
25-34 10.6 15.6 21.7 24.0 21.5 22.2
35-44 3.3 4.9 7.4 12.9 15.4 19.6#
45-54 *0.8 0.8 2.1 2.7 5.3 6.8
55+ **<0.1 **0.1 *0.2 0.4 0.6 1.1#
12+ 5.1 5.8 7.4 8.8 9.0 9.9
Persons
14-19 7.0 6.2 6.0 4.7 3.9 3.7
20-29 19.7 22.0 23.9 24.2 22.1 18.7#
30-39 7.4 12.5 17.0 22.0 23.1 24.7
40-49 2.4 3.8 5.5 8.1 11.8 14.8#
50+ 0.3 0.4 0.9 0.9 1.7 2.4#
14+ 6.1 7.5 8.9 10.3 10.9 11.2
18+ 6.2 7.8 9.3 10.9 11.5 11.8
Additional age groups
12-17 n.a. 2.0 2.2 1.4 *0.9 *1.0
18-24 19.0 18.8 18.1 19.0 16.0 13.2#
25-34 13.3 19.5 25.0 26.1 26.0 23.8
35-44 4.2 6.9 10.1 14.7 17.7 21.7#
45-54 1.1 1.8 3.4 4.0 6.2 8.7#
55+ *0.1 *0.3 0.4 0.5 1.0 1.5#
12+ 6.1 7.2 8.6 10.0 10.6 10.9
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
n.p. not published because of small numbers, confidentiality or other concerns about the quality of the data.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used at least once in lifetime.
(b) Included 'designer drugs' before 2004.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.36: Recent(a) use of ecstasy(b), people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Age group (years) 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016
Males
14–19 5.7 3.9 4.0 3.1 3.1 3.3
20–29 12.5 15.1 13.8 11.4 10.6 7.4#
30–39 3.1 5.8 6.3 4.9 4.0 3.2
40–49 *0.8 1.4 2.3 1.9 1.1 1.5
50+ **<0.1 *0.1 *0.3 *0.1 *0.3 *0.4
14+ 3.6 4.4 4.4 3.6 3.2 2.6#
18+ 3.6 4.6 4.6 3.8 3.4 2.6#
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. *0.7 *1.1 *0.7 **0.5 *1.5
18–24 13.4 13.5 11.6 11.2 10.7 7.4#
25–34 7.4 11.0 12.4 8.1 7.8 5.4#
35–44 *1.4 3.0 3.4 3.5 1.8 2.1
45–54 *0.2 *0.7 *1.3 *0.6 *0.9 *1.0
55+ n.p. n.p. **0.1 **<0.1 *0.1 *0.3
12+ 3.6 4.2 4.3 3.5 3.1 2.5#
Females
14–19 4.3 4.7 6.0 2.5 *2.8 3.0
20–29 8.3 8.8 8.7 8.2 6.6 6.7
30–39 1.7 2.3 3.2 3.0 1.2 2.1#
40–49 *0.4 *0.4 *0.7 *0.6 *0.8 *0.5
50+ **<0.1 <0.1 **<0.1 *0.1 *0.2 **<0.1
14+ 2.3 2.4 2.7 2.3 1.8 1.8
18+ 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.4 1.8 1.9
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. 2.0 2.9 *0.8 *1.3 **0.3#
18–24 10.0 10.1 9.8 8.7 7.8 8.8
25–34 3.6 5.1 6.3 5.2 3.0 3.6
35–44 *0.8 0.8 1.0 1.5 1.0 1.1
45–54 n.p. **0.1 *0.5 *0.3 *0.5 *0.2
55+ **<0.1 <0.1 n.p. **0.1 *<0.1 **<0.1
12+ 2.3 2.4 2.6 2.3 1.7 1.8
Persons
14–19 5.0 4.3 5.0 2.8 3.0 3.2
20–29 10.4 12.0 11.2 9.9 8.6 7.0
30–39 2.4 4.0 4.7 3.9 2.6 2.6
40–49 *0.6 0.9 1.5 1.2 0.9 1.0
50+ *<0.1 *<0.1 *0.1 *0.1 *0.2 *0.2
14+ 2.9 3.4 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.2
18+ 2.9 3.5 3.6 3.1 2.6 2.3
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. 1.3 2.0 *0.8 *0.9 *0.9
18–24 11.7 11.8 10.7 10.0 9.3 8.0
25–34 5.5 8.0 9.3 6.6 5.3 4.4
35–44 1.1 1.9 2.2 2.5 1.4 1.6
45–54 *0.2 *0.4 *0.9 0.5 0.7 0.6
55+ **<0.1 **<0.1 **<0.1 *<0.1 *<0.1 *0.2
12+ 2.9 3.3 3.4 2.9 2.4 2.1
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months.
(b) Included 'designer drugs' before 2004.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.37: Ecstasy use, people aged 14 years or older, by social characteristics, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Never used Ex-users(a) Recent users(b)
Characteristic 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016
Persons 91.1 89.7 89.9 88.8# 5.3 7.3 7.6 9.0# 3.5 3.0 2.5 2.2
Education
With post-school qualifications 92.9 87.9 87.6 86.6 3.8 9.0 9.6 11.1# 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.3
Without post-school qualifications 89.6 92.1 93.4 92.7 6.5 5.1 4.7 5.4 3.9 2.8 2.0 1.9
Labour force status
Currently employed 88.6 86.6 86.4 84.6# 7.0 9.6 10.7 12.5# 4.4 3.8 2.9 2.9
Student 91.9 90.7 92.6 93.0 2.5 4.3 2.9 3.8 5.6 5.1 4.5 3.2
Unemployed/Looking for work 83.7 86.5 87.7 87.7 8.1 9.4 7.2 9.5 8.2 4.1 5.1 2.9
Solely engaged in home duties 91.6 87.9 86.7 85.1 6.9 11.1 12.2 14.2 1.5 1.0 *1.0 *0.7
Retired or on a pension 99.0 99.4 99.0 98.7 0.8 0.6 0.9 1.2 0.2 *<0.1 **0.1 **0.1
Volunteer/charity work n.a 96.5 97.3 95.7 n.a *3.5 **1.0 *3.5 n.a n.p. **1.8 n.p.
Unable to work 88.1 88.9 92.7 91.0 8.9 9.4 5.3 8.3 3.1 *1.7 *2.0 **0.6
Other 89.1 87.7 93.1 90.0 7.9 9.9 *5.4 8.8 3.0 *2.4 *1.5 **1.2
Main language spoken at home
English 90.8 88.9 88.8 87.6# 5.6 8.0 8.5 10.0# 3.6 3.2 2.7 2.4
Language other than English 98.2 97.9 97.1 98.0 0.9 *1.1 2.2 1.7 0.9 *1.0 *0.7 *0.4
Socioeconomic area
Most disadvantaged 93.4 92.0 91.8 91.8 4.1 6.2 6.6 7.0 2.5 1.9 1.6 1.2
2 93.8 90.8 91.5 89.4# 4.0 6.6 6.6 8.8# 2.3 2.5 2.0 1.8
3 91.9 90.1 89.1 88.8 4.5 7.3 8.0 8.9 3.7 2.7 3.0 2.3
4 90.6 88.7 88.9 86.6# 5.8 8.1 8.3 10.3# 3.6 3.1 2.8 3.1
Most advantaged 88.7 87.6 88.6 87.5 6.7 8.0 8.5 9.9 4.6 4.4 2.9 2.7
Remotness
Major cities 90.4 88.9 89.3 88.0# 5.7 7.8 7.9 9.5# 3.9 3.3 2.9 2.5
Inner regional 93.8 91.9 91.9 91.5 3.8 6.1 6.6 7.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.5
Outer regional 93.7 91.9 91.7 90.7 4.5 5.9 6.7 8.1 1.8 2.2 1.6 *1.2
Remote and very remote 88.8 86.4 87.1 86.1 6.6 9.5 11.1 12.0 4.6 *4.1 *1.8 1.9
Marital status
Never married 85.9 84.2 85.5 84.8 6.0 8.9 7.7 9.6# 8.1 6.9 6.8 5.6#
Divorced/separated/widowed 95.6 94.6 94.8 93.0# 3.0 4.2 4.7 6.3# 1.4 1.1 0.5 *0.7
Married/defacto 93.2 91.1 90.7 89.8 5.2 7.2 8.2 9.3# 1.6 1.6 1.1 0.9
Indigenous status
Indigenous 90.2 89.9 89.3 88.3 6.1 *7.0 9.7 9.9 3.7 *3.0 **1.1 *1.8
Not indigenous 91.4 89.7 89.9 88.8# 5.2 7.3 7.6 8.9# 3.4 3.0 2.5 2.2
Household composition
Single with dependents 88.0 86.3 84.4 79.9# 8.0 11.0 14.0 19.1# 3.9 2.7 1.5 *1.0
Couple with dependents 91.4 88.4 87.0 85.5# 6.9 10.2 12.1 13.7# 1.7 1.4 1.0 0.8
Parents with non dependent children 97.6 96.8 97.6 95.6# 1.8 2.7 2.2 3.9# 0.6 *0.5 *0.3 *0.5
Singles without kids 85.2 84.4 85.4 84.8 6.3 9.2 8.3 9.7 8.5 6.5 6.3 5.6
Couple without kids 93.3 91.8 93.0 91.7# 4.6 5.9 5.4 6.7# 2.1 2.3 1.7 1.7
Other(c) 90.7 89.2 90.7 90.6 4.5 5.8 4.8 5.7 4.8 5.0 4.5 3.7
Sexual orientation
Hetrosexual 91.5 90.0 90.2 89.2# 5.3 7.2 7.6 8.9# 3.2 2.8 2.2 1.9
Homosexual/Bisexual 65.2 71.6 67.7 69.2 15.0 17.6 19.5 19.8 19.8 10.8 12.8 11.0
Not sure/Other 93.8 90.3 90.5 92.7 1.9 5.0 *5.3 4.8 4.3 *4.7 *4.2 *2.5
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
Due to the small sample sizes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, estimates should be interpreted with caution.
(a) Used ecstasy previously, but not in previous 12 months.
(b) Used in the previous 12 months.
(c) People who live in a household with children, but are not the parent/guardian, younger people living with their parents or respondents who selected 'other household
type'
Notes:
1. From 2013, socioeconomic quintiles are calculated using the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Prior to this, the 2006 Census of Population and housing was
used. These data are considered comparable but trends should be interpreted with caution.
2. From 2013, Remoteness Areas were defined using the 2011 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Prior to this, the 2006 Australian Standard Geographical
Classification (ASGC) was used. These data are considered comparable but trends should be interpreted with caution.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.38: Self-assessed health status, health conditions and psychological distress, by ecstasy use, people aged 18 years or older,
2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Not used in the previous 12 months(a) Used in the previous 12 months All persons
Health status 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016
Self-assessed health status(b)
Excellent 16 15.9 17.2 17.5 16.5 20.2 17.9 20.6 15.9 16 17.2 17.6
Very good 37.7 37.6 38.3 38.1 35.4 41.5 38.6 40.7 37.5 37.6 38.2 38.1
Good 33.7 34.2 32.1 32.2 38.1 30.6 33.9 30.3 33.9 34.1 32.1 32.2
Fair 10.5 10.6 10.5 10 8.9 6.9 8.6 7.2 10.6 10.5 10.6 10
Poor 2.1 1.8 2 2.1 1.1 **0.8 *1.0 **1.2 2.1 1.8 2 2.1
Self-reported health condition(c)
Diabetes 5.7 5.5 6.5 6.4 1.1 **1.0 **0.8 **1.1 5.6 5.4 6.3 6.4
Heart diseases(d) 18.9 19.5 20.9 20.2 3.2 *1.2 *1.7 *1.8 18.4 19.1 20.4 19.8
Asthma 8.4 8.6 9.5 9.5 11.2 11 9.8 10.7 8.5 8.6 9.5 9.6
Cancer 2.8 2.9 3 3.8# 0.3 **0.2 **0.6 **0.5 2.7 2.8 2.9 3.8#
Mental illness(e) 10.9 11.9 13.6 15.6# 16 16.2 17.9 26.5# 11.1 12 13.9 15.9#
Chronic pain n.a n.a 10.1 10.7 n.a n.a 4.9 5.4 n.a n.a 10 10.6
Other(f) n.a 1.4 1.2 1.5 n.a 6.2 4.9 6.2 n.a 1.6 1.4 1.7
Level of psychological distress(g)
Low 69.9 70.1 70 68.2# 49.5 55.9 51.4 47.8 69 69.6 69.3 67.7#
Moderate 20.7 20.2 20.4 20.5 31.3 28.9 30.7 25.7 21.1 20.5 20.6 20.7
High 7.3 7.3 7 8.2# 16 12.1 12 19.6# 7.7 7.4 7.2 8.4#
Very high 2.1 2.4 2.6 3.1# 3.2 3 6 7 2.2 2.4 2.8 3.2
High to Very high n.a 9.6 9.6 11.3# 15.1 18 26.6# n.a 9.9 10.1 11.7#
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Includes those who have never used and ex-users.
(b) In response to the question 'In general, would you say your health is...?'.
(c) Respondents could select more than one condition in response to the question 'In the last 12 months have you been diagnosed or treated for...?'
(d) Includes heart disease and hypertension (high blood pressure).
(e) Includes depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, an eating disorder and other form of psychosis.
(f) Includes sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B or C.
(g) Low: K10 score 10–15, Moderate: 16–21, High: 22–29, Very high: 30–50.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.39: Forms of ecstasy used, recent users by age, 2016 (per cent)
Form of ecstasy 14–19 20–29 30–39 40+ 14+
Main form used
Pills/Tablets 43.4 46.3 64.7 60 51.2
Capsules 32.1 39.6 25 *18.9 33.4
Crystals/Rock *13.4 11.7 *7.1 *17.5 11.6
Powder **11.1 **2.4 *3.2 **3.6 *3.8
Forms ever used
Pills/Tablets 86.1 88.1 95.4 94.7 90.1
Capsules 53.3 73.8 75.9 52.5 69.2
Crystals/Rock 42.6 42 48.5 27.4 41.8
Powder 42.2 41.2 45.6 40 42.1
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
Note:Base is users of ecstasy in the previous 12 months.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.40: Other drugs used at the same time as ecstasy, people aged 14 years or older, 2010
to 2016 (per cent)
Drug type 2010 2013 2016
Alcohol 94.0 69.2 86.8#
Tobacco 60.8 45.6 55.6#
Tranquillisers/sleeping pills 4.1 3.4 *1.9
Pain-killers/opiates 3.8 2.8 6.3#
Marijuana/cannabis 41.0 56.2 52.6
Hallucinogens 8.4 6.8 12.8#
Meth/amphetamine(a) 20.3 20.7 14.6#
Ecstasy 23.9 19.7 26.1
Other 7.6 6.7 9.5
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) For non-medical purposes.
Note:Base is users of ecstasy in the previous 12 months.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.41: Lifetime(a) meth/amphetamine use, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001 to 2016 (per cent)
Age group (years) 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013
Males
14-19 8.2 6.6 *1.4 *2.5 *2.5
20-29 25.0 24.3 18.2 15.5 16.1
30-39 16.6 19.8 13.4 17.0 18.6
40-49 8.9 10.4 8.1 9.1 9.0
50+ 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.4 2.1
14+ 10.6 11.0 7.7 8.2 8.6
18+ 11.2 11.6 8.2 8.7 9.1
Additional age groups
12-17 n.a. *1.9 **0.5 n.p. **1.3
18-24 20.9 19.7 11.3 9.7 9.5
25-34 22.0 24.0 19.9 20.1 21.2
35-44 13.5 15.1 10.3 13.4 13.8
45-54 5.1 6.9 5.5 5.4 5.7
55+ 0.8 0.8 1.0 0.8 1.2
12+ 10.6 10.6 7.5 7.9 8.4
Females
14-19 8.7 6.5 *2.9 2.3 *2.2
20-29 19.0 17.9 13.7 13.5 10.6
30-39 10.5 12.3 9.5 12.4 10.7
40-49 4.8 6.1 2.8 5.2 6.6
50+ 0.9 1.0 0.6 0.8 1.0
14+ 7.3 7.3 4.9 5.9 5.3
18+ 7.4 7.6 5.1 6.2 5.6
Additional age groups
12-17 n.a. 2.3 *1.4 *0.8 *0.9
18-24 18.1 16.6 10.8 9.0 7.4
25-34 14.7 16.2 13.7 15.3 12.3
35-44 7.7 8.6 5.2 8.8 8.6
45-54 2.5 3.5 1.9 3.2 4.0
55+ *0.6 0.6 *0.4 0.5 0.5
12+ 7.3 7.1 4.8 5.7 5.2
Persons
14-19 8.4 6.6 2.1 2.4 2.3
20-29 22.0 21.1 16.0 14.5 13.4
30-39 13.5 16.0 11.4 14.7 14.7
40-49 6.9 8.2 5.4 7.2 7.8
50+ 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.5
14+ 8.9 9.1 6.3 7.0 7.0
18+ 9.2 9.6 6.6 7.5 7.3
Additional age groups
12-17 n.a. 2.1 *1.0 *0.5 *1.1
18-24 19.5 18.2 11.0 9.4 8.4
25-34 18.4 20.0 16.7 17.7 16.7
35-44 10.6 11.8 7.7 11.0 11.2
45-54 3.8 5.2 3.7 4.3 4.8
55+ 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.8
12+ 8.9 8.8 6.1 6.8 6.8
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used at least once in their lifetime for non medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
2016
*2.3
7.9#
15.2#
11.0
3.2#
7.3#
7.6#
**1.3
5.7#
12.4#
14.6
8.4#
2.0#
7.1#
*0.4#
8.2#
12.4
7.5
1.3
5.3
5.6
n.p.
4.4#
11.2
11.0#
4.8
0.7
5.1
*1.4
8.0#
13.8
9.2#
2.2#
6.3#
6.6#
*0.7
5.1#
11.8#
12.8
6.5#
1.3#
6.1#
Table 5.42: Recent(a) use of meth/amphetamines, people aged 14 years or older, by age and sex, 2001
to 2016 (per cent)
Age group (years) 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016
Males
14–19 5.7 4.0 *1.0 *1.2 *2.3 *1.2
20–29 14.1 12.4 9.8 6.8 6.7 3.3#
30–39 4.0 5.7 4.9 4.2 4.5 2.7#
40–49 *1.4 1.8 *1.6 1.7 2.0 2.4
50+ *0.1 *0.1 *0.2 *0.2 0.4 *0.5
14+ 4.2 4.0 3.0 2.5 2.7 1.8#
18+ 4.3 4.1 3.2 2.6 2.7 1.8#
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. *1.2 **0.2 n.p. **1.3 **0.6
18–24 15.0 11.1 6.8 5.4 5.3 2.7#
25–34 8.4 9.6 9.3 6.1 6.2 3.5#
35–44 2.4 3.4 2.9 3.1 3.1 2.6
45–54 *0.4 *0.9 *0.7 1.0 1.4 1.7
55+ **<0.1 **<0.1 *<0.1 **<0.1 *0.2 *0.3
12+ 4.2 3.8 2.9 2.4 2.6 1.7#
Females
14–19 6.8 4.9 *2.2 *2.1 *1.6 **0.4#
20–29 8.2 9.0 4.8 5.0 4.8 2.2#
30–39 2.2 2.5 2.9 2.6 1.8 2.0
40–49 *0.5 *0.5 *0.5 *0.6 0.9 1.6#
50+ *0.2 **<0.1 **<0.1 *0.2 *0.1 *<0.1
14+ 2.7 2.5 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.0#
18+ 2.5 2.5 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.1#
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. 1.7 *1.0 **0.4 *0.8 n.p.
18–24 11.3 10.3 4.1 5.1 3.8 *1.8#
25–34 3.9 5.1 5.0 4.0 4.0 2.1#
35–44 1.1 1.2 *1.0 1.5 1.3 2.2#
45–54 *0.3 **0.2 **0.3 *0.4 *0.4 *0.6
55+ **0.1 **<0.1 **<0.1 **<0.1 n.p. **<0.1
12+ 2.7 2.5 1.5 1.6 1.4 1.0#
Persons
14–19 6.2 4.4 1.6 1.6 *2.0 *0.8
20–29 11.2 10.7 7.3 5.9 5.7 2.8#
30–39 3.1 4.1 3.9 3.4 3.1 2.4
40–49 1.0 1.2 1.0 1.1 1.4 2.0
50+ *0.2 *<0.1 *0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3
14+ 3.4 3.2 2.3 2.1 2.1 1.4#
18+ 3.4 3.3 2.4 2.2 2.1 1.5#
Additional age groups
12–17 n.a. 1.5 *0.6 **0.2 *1.1 **0.4
18–24 13.2 10.7 5.5 5.3 4.5 2.3#
25–34 6.1 7.3 7.1 5.0 5.1 2.7#
35–44 1.7 2.3 1.9 2.3 2.2 2.4
45–54 *0.4 *0.6 *0.5 0.7 0.9 1.1
55+ *0.1 **<0.1 *<0.1 **<0.1 *0.1 *0.2
12+ 3.4 3.1 2.2 2.0 2.0 1.4#
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
n.p. not published because of small numbers, confidentiality or other concerns about the quality of the data.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.43: Form of meth/amphetamine used, recent(a) users aged 14 years or older, 2007 to
2016 (per cent)
Form of drug 2007 2010 2013 2016
Forms ever used
Powder/Speed 85.0 83.1 64.9 77.2#
Liquid 14.6 15.8 14.1 14.6
Crystal, ice 56.3 50.8 71.5 70.7
Base/Paste/Pure 38.3 37.8 28.3 26.4
Tablet 26.4 32.9 26.5 26.9
Prescription amphetamines 17.5 15.1 14.1 28.3#
Capsules n.a n.a 17.0 17.8
Other *1.1 *1.9 *2.5 **2.1
All forms used in last 12 months
Powder/Speed n.a n.a n.a 42.4
Liquid n.a n.a n.a *3.3
Crystal, ice n.a n.a n.a 62.3
Base/Paste/Pure n.a n.a n.a *5.1
Tablet n.a n.a n.a 13.4
Prescription amphetamines n.a n.a n.a 15.9
Capsules n.a n.a n.a *7.3
Other n.a n.a n.a **1.5
Main form used in last 12 months
Powder/Speed 51.2 50.6 28.5 20.2#
Liquid **1.3 **0.9 **0.5 n.p.
Crystal, ice 26.7 21.7 50.4 57.3
Base/Paste/Pure 12.4 11.8 *7.6 *1.6#
Tablet *5.1 8.2 *8.0 *5.6
Prescription amphetamines for non-medical p *3.2 6.8 *3.0 11.1#
Capsules n.a n.a *2.0 *3.8
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
n.p. not published because of small numbers, confidentiality or other concerns about the quality of the data.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
Note:Base is users of meth/amphetamines in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.44: Frequency of meth/amphetamine use, recent(a) users aged 14 years or older, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Frequency of use 2007 2010 2013
All recent meth/amphetamine users
Once a week or more 15.4 9.3 15.5
About once a month 20.0 15.6 16.6
Every few months 27.7 26.3 19.8
Once or twice a year 36.9 48.8 48.0
Main form of meth/amphetamine used - crystal/ice
Once a week or more 22.7 *12.4 25.3
About once a month 24.7 *17.5 20.2
Every few months *20.6 *23.1 14.3
Once or twice a year 31.9 47.0 40.2
Main form of meth/amphetamine used - powder/speed
Once a week or more *9.1 *2.9 **2.2
About once a month 20.3 13.8 16.6
Every few months 34.1 29.0 20.0
Once or twice a year 36.5 54.4 61.2
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
Note:Base is users of meth/amphetamines in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
2016
20.4
10.6#
24.7
44.3
31.9
*8.3#
22.6
37.3
*5.6
*16.1
26.6
51.7
Table 5.45: Crystal meth/amphetamine use, people aged 14 years and older, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Form of drug 2007 2010 2013 2016
Including recent(a) users with unknown main form
Main form of meth/amphetamine: crystal/ice 0.565 0.387 0.850 0.797
Main form of meth/amphetamine: form other than crystal/ 1.550 1.397 0.836 0.595#
Not a recent meth/amphetamine user 97.708 97.946 97.931 98.598#
Recent meth/amphetamine user, main form unknown *0.177 0.271 0.382 *<0.1#
Adjusting for recent(a) users with unknown main form(b)
Main form of meth/amphetamine: crystal/ice 0.612 0.447 1.026 0.803
Main form of meth/amphetamine: form other than crystal/ 1.680 1.607 1.043 0.599#
Not a recent meth/amphetamine user 97.708 97.946 97.931 98.598#
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
(b) This adjustment involved distributing those meth/amphetamine users who did not answer the 'main form' questions proportionally between the
responses.
Note:Base is Australian population
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.46: Frequency of meth/amphetamine use, recent(a) users aged 14 years or older, by age, 2013 to 2016 (per cent)
Daily or weekly About once a month Every few months
Age group (years) 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013 2016
14–19 *36.5 n.p. *19.7 **9.0 *28.7 n.p.
20–29 11.4 *18.9 20.7 *10.0# 20.7 31.6
30–39 15.3 18.7 *9.5 *14.8 15.3 21.4
40+ *17.5 26.6 *13.4 *7.5 19.6 22.4
14+ 15.5 20.3 16.6 10.6 19.8 24.6
18+ 14.0 20.8 16.7 10.3# 19.8 25.1
Additional age groups
12–17 **45.5 n.p. **14.9 **20.4 **21.3 n.p.
18–24 *14.4 **13.1 21.0 **9.5 23.0 *32.8
25–34 12.1 25.6# 17.8 *10.1 18.7 *21.3
35–44 19.0 18.3 *8.4 *11.5 *15.7 26.6
45+ *10.6 *24.1 *16.3 *9.7 *24.1 *21.5
12+ 15.5 20.3 16.6 10.6 19.8 24.6
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
Note:Base is users of meth/amphetamines in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Once or twice a year
2013 2016
**15.1 81.6
47.2 39.5
59.9 45.1
49.6 43.5
48.0 44.6
49.6 43.7
**18.3 79.6
41.7 44.6
51.5 42.9
56.8 43.6
48.9 44.7
48.0 44.6
Table 5.47: Main form of meth/amphetamines used by main method of use, recent(a) meth/amphetamines users aged 14 years or older, 2
Mainly used powder Mainly used crystal (ice)
2010 2013 2016 2010 2013 2016
Smoked *6.4 **4.3 *12.2 61.4 78.0 67.6
Snorted 56.8 64.7 51.1 *9.1 *5.3 *4.2
Swallowed 27.8 27.0 32.8 *15.2 *7.3 *7.3
Injected *9.0 *4.0 **2.3 *14.4 *9.4 19.2#
Other —— n.p. n.p. —— n.p. **1.8
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
Note:Base is users of meth/amphetamines in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
14 years or older, 2010 to 2016 (per cent)
Recent meth/amphetamine users
2010 2013 2016
19.1 40.9 41.8
34.2 22.6 16.3
36.0 26.5 28.6
10.6 9.5 11.9
—— **0.5 **1.3
Table 5.48: Meth/amphetamine use, people aged 14 years or older, by social characteristics, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Never used Ex-users(a) Recent users(b)
Characteristic 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013
Persons 93.8 93.0 93.6 93.7 3.9 4.9 4.3 4.9# 2.3 2.1 2.1
Education
With post-school qualifications 94.8 91.9 92.4 92.5 2.8 6.0 5.3 5.9 2.4 2.1 2.3
Without post-school qualifications 93.1 94.5 95.6 95.8 4.6 3.5 2.9 3.2 2.4 2.0 1.6
Labour force status
Currently employed 92.1 91.0 91.7 92.0 5.1 6.4 5.9 6.5 2.8 2.6 2.3
Student 95.5 95.8 96.3 96.9 1.9 2.7 1.8 2.2 2.6 1.5 *1.9
Unemployed/Looking for work 87.3 89.3 89.9 89.7 6.7 6.0 4.5 5.6 6.0 4.8 5.6
Solely engaged in home duties 94.3 91.3 92.7 92.0 4.0 7.7 5.9 7.3 1.7 *1.0 1.4
Retired or on a pension 98.5 99.0 99.1 98.6 1.2 0.8 0.6 1.1# 0.3 *0.2 *0.4
Volunteer/charity work n.a. 97.7 96.8 97.6 n.a. *2.0 **2.0 *1.6 n.a. n.p. **1.2
Unable to work 90.9 89.0 89.8 90.8 5.8 7.3 6.4 5.8 3.3 *3.8 *3.9
Other 93.7 91.0 93.2 95.0 3.3 6.6 *4.3 *3.9 3.0 *2.4 *2.5
Main language spoken at home
English 93.5 92.5 93.1 93.1 4.1 5.4 4.7 5.4# 2.4 2.2 2.2
Language other than English 99.2 98.8 97.4 98.9# 0.6 *0.7 1.8 *0.7# 0.2 *0.5 *0.8
Socioeconomic area
Most disadvantaged 93.8 92.9 93.4 93.6 3.9 4.7 4.4 4.6 2.3 2.4 2.2
2 95.0 92.9 93.7 93.2 3.1 5.0 4.1 5.3# 1.8 2.1 2.1
3 94.3 93.4 92.3 94.3# 3.2 4.5 5.3 4.3 2.5 2.1 2.4
4 93.5 92.8 94.1 93.3 4.2 5.4 4.1 5.3# 2.2 1.8 1.8
Most advantaged 93.5 93.2 94.3 94.3 4.3 4.8 3.9 4.8 2.2 2.0 1.8
Remotness
Major cities 93.6 92.8 93.6 93.8 3.9 5.1 4.3 4.9# 2.5 2.0 2.1
Inner regional 95.1 93.8 94.3 94.7 3.2 4.1 4.1 4.1 1.7 2.0 1.6
Outer regional 94.3 94.1 94.0 92.8 4.1 4.4 4.0 5.7# 1.6 1.5 2.0
Remote and very remote 91.3 88.8 87.0 89.1 5.7 7.2 8.6 7.4 3.0 *4.0 *4.4
Marital status
Never married 90.9 90.3 90.6 92.3# 4.7 5.9 4.5 4.9 4.4 3.8 4.9
Divorced/separated/widowed 96.0 95.1 95.8 94.0# 2.7 3.5 2.8 4.9# 1.3 1.4 1.4
Married/defacto 95.0 93.9 94.4 94.4 3.7 4.8 4.6 4.8 1.3 1.3 1.0
Indigenous status
Indigenous 92.2 92.4 89.8 90.1 5.5 *4.0 7.0 6.8 2.3 *3.6 *3.1
Not indigenous 94.0 93.1 93.7 93.8 3.8 5.0 4.3 4.8# 2.2 1.9 2.0
Household composition
Single with dependents 90.1 87.3 88.4 85.9 6.8 10.0 6.6 10.9# 3.1 2.7 5.0
Couple with dependents 94.0 91.8 92.6 92.2 4.4 6.8 6.3 7.0 1.6 1.4 1.1
Parents with non dependent children 98.3 97.4 97.5 96.7 1.3 1.8 1.9 2.7 0.4 *0.8 *0.6
Singles without kids 88.9 88.8 89.8 91.3 5.9 7.8 5.5 5.7 5.2 3.4 4.8
Couple without kids 95.2 94.8 95.6 95.6 3.4 3.7 3.1 3.5 1.4 1.5 1.3
Other(c) 94.1 93.9 94.1 95.1 3.3 3.1 3.0 3.0 2.6 3.1 2.9
Sexual orientation
Hetrosexual 94.1 93.2 93.7 94.0 3.8 4.9 4.4 4.8 2.1 1.9 1.9
Homosexual/Bisexual 75.7 81.8 81.0 83.4 12.1 11.1 10.4 9.8 12.2 7.1 8.6
Not sure/Other 94.3 93.7 96.6 94.0 4.0 *3.9 *1.3 *4.6# 1.7 *2.4 *2.1
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
Due to the small sample sizes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, estimates should be interpreted with caution.
(a) Used Meth/amphetamine previously, but not in previous 12 months.
(b) Used in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
(c) People who live in a household with children, but are not the parent/guardian, younger people living with their parents or respondents who selected 'other household type'
Notes:
1. From 2013, socioeconomic quintiles are calculated using the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Prior to this, the 2006 Census of Population and housing was used. These data are considere
comparable but trends should be interpreted with caution.
2. From 2013, Remoteness Areas were defined using the 2011 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Prior to this, the 2006 Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) was
used. These data are considered comparable but trends should be interpreted with caution.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
2016
1.4#
1.6#
1.0#
1.5#
*1.0
4.6
*0.7
*0.3
n.p.
*3.3
**1.1
1.5#
**0.3
1.8
1.5
1.4#
1.4
0.9#
1.4#
1.2
1.6
*3.5
2.8#
1.1
0.8
*3.1
1.4#
3.2
0.8
*0.6
2.9#
1.0
1.9#
1.2#
6.9
*1.4
considered
SGC) was
Table 5.49: Social characteristics , recent(a) meth/amphetamine users aged 14
years or older, by main form of meth/amphetamine used, 2016 (per cent)
Characteristic Powder/speed Crystal/ice Other(b)
Persons 20.2 57.3 22.6
Mean age ``35.5 35.1 ``30.4
Education
With post-school qualifications 81.6 72.8 71.0
Without post-school qualifications *18.4 27.2 *29.0
Has not completed a Bachelor Degree 69.9 87.2 68.4
Bachelor Degree or higher 30.1 12.8 31.6
Labour force status
Currently employed 80.4 48.8 66.1
Student n.p. *4.5 *17.2
Unemployed/Looking for work **4.8 29.3 **12.1
Other **6.0 10.8 **4.7
Unable to work **6.0 *6.6 n.p.
Main language spoken at home
English 97.4 96.1 100
Language other than English **2.6 **3.9 n.p.
Socioeconomic area
Most disadvantaged 30.0 30.6 *10.9
2 *16.5 24.7 *18.3
3 *19.4 20.1 *21.5
4 *22.9 15.8 *25.1
Most advantaged *11.3 *8.7 *24.2
Remotness
Major cities 69.6 64.0 79.9
Inner regional *24.0 13.9 **12.9
Outer regional/Remote/Very remote *6.4 22.1 *7.2
Marital status
Never married 46.6 57.0 67.0
Divorced/separated/widowed *3.4 12.4 **4.6
Married/defacto 50.0 30.6 28.4
Indigenous status
Indigenous **4.2 *8.2 n.p.
Not indigenous 95.8 91.8 97.9
Household composition
Single with dependents **4.5 9.6 **5.8
Couple with dependents *17.5 18.2 *10.7
Parents with non dependent children **4.1 *6.5 n.p.
Singles without kids 29.6 26.0 29.1
Couple without kids 26.6 10.3 *15.1
Other(c) *17.6 29.3 37.3
Sexual orientation
Hetrosexual 75.5 82.7 83.5
Homosexual/Bisexual *22.7 13.3 *16.0
Not sure/Other n.p. *4.0 n.p.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
Due to the small sample sizes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, estimates should be interpreted
with caution.
(a) Used in the previous 12 months for non medical purposes.
(b) Includes liquid, base/paste/pure, tablet, perscription amphetamines for non medical purposes, capsules and
other
(c) People who live in a household with children, but are not the parent/guardian, younger people living with their
parents or respondents who selected 'other household type'
Notes:
1. From 2013, socioeconomic quintiles are calculated using the 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Prior to
this, the 2006 Census of Population and housing was used. These data are considered comparable but trends
should be interpreted with caution.
2. From 2013, Remoteness Areas were defined using the 2011 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS).
Prior to this, the 2006 Australian Standard Geographical Classification (ASGC) was used. These data are
considered comparable but trends should be interpreted with caution.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.50: Self-assessed health status, health conditions and psychological distress, by meth/amphetamine use, people aged 18 years o
cent)
Not used in the previous 12 months for non Used in the previous 12 months for non medical
medical purposes(a) purposes
Health status 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007
Self-assessed health status(b)
Excellent 16.0 16.0 17.4 17.7 13.8 15.3 12.1 12.7 15.9
Very good 37.8 37.7 38.4 38.3 29.3 36.9 33.4 30.2 37.5
Good 33.7 34.1 32.0 32.1 41.4 34.2 38.2 40.6 33.9
Fair 10.4 10.4 10.4 9.9 13.7 11.7 13.5 13.1 10.6
Poor 2.1 1.8 1.9 2.0 1.9 *1.9 *2.8 *3.4 2.1
Self-reported health condition(c)
Diabetes 5.7 5.5 6.4 6.4 0.9 *1.5 *1.4 *3.4 5.6
Heart diseases (d)
18.8 19.3 20.7 20.0 3.7 4.5 5.2 *4.7 18.4
Asthma 8.4 8.6 9.5 9.5 11.4 11.2 11.5 14.0 8.5
Cancer 2.8 2.9 3.0 3.8# 0.1 *0.7 *1.9 **0.7 2.7
Mental illness(e) 10.9 11.7 13.5 15.5# 20.3 25.6 29.0 42.3# 11.1
Chronic pain n.a n.a 9.9 10.6 n.a. n.a 10.9 11.3 n.a
Other(f) n.a 1.4 1.2 1.5# n.a. 7.3 8.1 11.7 n.a
Level of psychological distress(g)
Low 69.9 70.1 70.0 68.2# 44.7 51.2 41.7 35.7 69.0
Moderate 20.9 20.3 20.4 20.5 31.7 28.0 31.8 27.1 21.1
High 7.2 7.3 7.0 8.2# 19.0 13.3 15.6 21.6 7.7
Very high 2.0 2.3 2.6 3.0# 4.6 7.5 10.9 15.7 2.2
High to Very
n.a 9.6 9.6 11.2# n.a 20.8 26.6 37.2# n.a
high
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Includes those who have never used and ex-users.
(b) In response to the question 'In general, would you say your health is...?'.
(c) Respondents could select more than one condition in response to the question 'In the last 12 months have you been diagnosed or treated for...?'
(d) Includes heart disease and hypertension (high blood pressure).
(e) Includes depression, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, an eating disorder and other form of psychosis.
(f) Includes sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis B or C.
(g) Low: K10 score 10–15, Moderate: 16–21, High: 22–29, Very high: 30–50.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
or older, 2007 to 2016 (per
All persons
2010 2013 2016
87.1
38.8
7.0
4.6
15.7
9.7#
13.0
48.2
57.4
65.3
44.8
8.9
*3.2
5.1
78.1
37.3#
22.6
21.7
8.9
14.7
12.4
57.6
58.6
31.5
40
*1.9#
6.2
*7.5
Table 5.61: Factors influencing first use of an illicit drug, lifetime users aged 14 years or older, by age and use status, 2013 to 2016 (per ce
Friends or family member Thought it would improve To do
were using it/ offered by mood/to stop feeling something To see what it was To enhance an
friend or family member unhappy exciting like/curiosity experience
Age group
(years) 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013 2016
14–19 44.4 47.9 19.2 14.3 32.4 24.5 72.2 69.7 16.3 18
20–29 51.3 48.4 8.7 12.7# 23.2 24.9 69.1 70.2 16.8 19.8
30–39 52.5 50.1 6.7 6.9 21.4 20.8 69.2 66.2 14.9 15.3
40–49 54.4 49.2# 5.5 6.3 17.3 17.3 63.2 62.3 11.0 11.2
50–59 51.1 51.8 5.1 6.1 12.5 12.1 60.4 59.8 9.6 8.0
60+ 43.3 48.7 *3.7 4.2 8.9 7.4 63.8 58.6 7.7 8.2
14+ 51.4 49.6 7.1 8.0 19.2 18.5 66.2 64.7 13.3 13.7
18+ 51.7 49.7# 6.7 7.8# 18.9 18.4 66.1 64.7 13.3 13.6
Additional age groups
12–17 40.2 45.0 22.7 17.9 28 20.9 71.4 62.2 *11.3 *18.3
18–24 49.9 45.2 11.2 14.5 26.1 25.7 72.0 70.6 17.8 19.4
25–34 53.3 51.1 7.3 9.0 21.2 22.3 67.7 70.0 15.5 18.2
35–44 54.4 51.2 6.2 6.5 20.8 20.2 66.1 62.3# 14.1 13.6
45+ 49.0 49.3 4.8 5.5 12.6 12 62.2 60.4 9.0 8.4
12+ 51.4 49.6 7.1 8.0 19.2 18.5 66.2 64.6 13.2 13.7
User status (14+)
Ex-user(a) 51.5 49.5 4.1 5.0 14.6 14.6 65.8 65.8 7.8 8.2
Recent user(b) 51.2 49.8 11.9 12.5 26.8 24.3 67.0 63.0# 22.1 21.8
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Used illicit drugs previously, but not in previous 12 months.
(b) Used in the previous 12 months.
Notes:
1. Used at least 1 of 16 classes of illicit drugs in their lifetime in 2016. The number and type of drug used varied over time.
2. Respondents could select more than one response.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
er cent)
Other
2013 2016
*2.5 *3.2
1.4 4.1#
1.7 4.0#
1.7 4.5#
1.7 3.3#
3.1 3.6
1.7 3.9#
1.7 3.9#
**2.9 **5.1
*1.0 4.6#
1.7 3.6#
1.6 3.8#
2.1 4.0#
1.7 3.9#
0.9 2.8#
3.1 5.5#
Table 5.62: Reasons why people continued to use illicit drugs, people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2013 to 2016 (per cent)
I only tried I used to use illicit Influence of Wanting to improve Wanting to do Wanting to
illicit drugs drugs, but no longer friends or Addiction/ mood/to stop something enhance
once do family dependency feeling unhappy exciting experiences
Age group (years) 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013
14–19 27.5 40.8# 25.7 13.0# *6.4 *9.9 *1.5 **0.5 *6.9 *12.3 10.1 13.1 13.7
20–29 30.5 30.2 33.1 28.0# 4.3 4.1 2.0 *1.5 3.1 6.0# 8.4 6.3 11.6
30–39 27.4 29.9 49.5 46.6 2.1 1.6 1.7 1.9 1.7 2.9 3.8 3.9 7.1
40–49 29.4 32.0 49.8 49.2 2.2 1.4 2.2 2.0 2.5 2.6 2.8 1.4# 6.1
50–59 31.8 32.4 48.5 50.7 1.9 *1.0 *1.6 *1.5 2.7 3.0 *1.6 *1.0 5.7
60+ 43.9 43.9 41.1 41.9 *1.2 *2.1 *0.7 **0.8 *1.7 2.7 *1.7 **0.6 2.6
14+ 30.4 32.6# 43.6 42.0 2.8 2.4 1.8 1.6 2.6 3.9# 4.5 3.5# 7.8
18+ 30.5 32.3 44.1 42.4 2.6 2.3 1.8 1.6 2.4 3.7# 4.4 3.4# 7.7
Additional age groups
12–17 26.3 50.3# 23.1 *14.1 *9.9 *9.1 **1.2 n.p. *12.9 *11.9 *10.0 *6.8 *9.9
18–24 31.7 30.0 25.8 21.9 4.9 6.2 *2.3 *1.5 3.1 8.3# 10.3 8.4 14.3
25–34 27.8 31.3 44.2 37.9# 2.9 2.6 1.8 1.6 2.0 3.6 5.7 4.9 8.9
35–44 29.5 29.9 49.2 49.4 2.2 1.2# 2.0 1.9 2.5 3.1 3.1 2.9 5.6
45+ 32.9 35.3 48.1 47.9 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.5 2.3 2.7 1.8 1.0 5.6
12+ 30.4 32.6# 43.6 41.9 2.8 2.4 1.8 1.6 2.7 3.9# 4.5 3.5# 7.8
User status (14+)
Ex-user 41.8 45.5# 52.9 51.9 1.0 0.6# *0.1 n.p. *0.4 **0.2 1.2 *0.5# 1.0
Recent
11.8 12.9 28.4 26.8 5.6 5.2 4.5 3.9 6.3 9.6# 10 8.0 19
user
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
Notes:
1. Used at least 1 of 16 classes of illicit drugs in their lifetime in 2016. The number and type of drug used varied over time.
2. Respondents could select more than one response.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
ing to
ance
iences Other
Wanting to enhance
experiences Other
2016
43.2
31.1#
3.8
24.5
10.5
19.3#
73.4#
6.4#
5.0
22.9
18.2
2.7#
5.3#
Table 5.65: Victims of illicit drug-related incidents in the previous 12 months, people aged 14 years or older, 2007 to 2016 (per cent)
Males Females
Incident 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007
Verbal abuse 13 7.7 6.8 7.3 9.1 5.9 6.4 6.7 11
Physical abuse 2.6 2.6 3.4 2.7# 1.4 1.8 2.9 2.5 2.0
Put in fear 7.9 4.3 4.3 4.8 9.0 5.2 5.6 7.1# 8.4
Any incident 16 9.0 8.1 8.9 13.2 7.9 8.5 9.6# 14.6
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
nt)
Persons
2010 2013 2016
6.8 6.6 7.0
2.2 3.1 2.6#
4.8 5.0 6.0#
8.5 8.3 9.3#
Table 5.66: Victims of illicit drug-related incidents in the previous 12 months, people aged 14 years or older, by age, 2013 to 2016
(per cent)
Verbal abuse Physical abuse Put in fear Any Incident
Incident 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013 2016 2013 2016
14–19 5.0 3.6 3.0 *1.7 4.3 4.8 6.7 6.2
20–29 9.2 9.4 4.2 3.6 6.4 8.3# 11.3 12.5
30–39 7.3 8.4 3.4 2.6 5.9 6.9 9.2 10.6
40–49 6.5 8.2# 3.0 2.7 5.7 7.0# 8.3 10.6#
50–59 7.6 8.0 3.5 3.2 5.2 6.3 9.0 10.3
60+ 4.3 4.2 2.1 1.8 2.8 3.2 5.5 5.6
14+ 6.6 7.0 3.1 2.6# 5.0 6.0# 8.3 9.3#
18+ 6.8 7.3 3.2 2.7# 5.1 6.1# 8.6 9.5#
Additional age groups
12–17 3.3 2.3 1.9 *1.4 3.7 3.7 5.0 4.5
18–24 10.2 7.7# 4.6 3.0# 7.4 7.4 12.1 10.7
25–34 7.8 9.7# 3.6 3.1 5.5 8.2# 9.8 12.6#
35–44 6.1 7.8# 3.2 3.0 5.6 6.9# 8.2 10.5#
45+ 5.9 6.1 2.8 2.4 4.2 4.7 7.4 7.8
12+ 6.5 6.9 3.1 2.6# 5.0 5.9# 8.3 9.1#
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.67: Activities done while under the influence of illicit drugs in the previous 12 months, recent users(a) aged 14 years or older, 200
to 2016 (per cent)
Males Females Persons
Incident 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013 2016 2007 2010 2013
Went to work 15.2 14.5 11.5 12.0 7.2 7.9 8.6 6.8 11.8 11.7 10.4
Went swimming 13.6 13.8 15.2 15.1 7.3 8.2 9.0 8.6 11.0 11.4 12.7
Operated a boat or hazardous machinery 6.1 5.4 5.8 5.7 0.4 *1.5 *1.1 *0.3# 3.7 3.8 3.9
Drove a vehicle 25.6 21.5 18.4 18.5 14.4 13.2 12.0 10.3 20.9 18.0 15.9
Created a disturbance, damaged or stole goods 7.7 5.8 5.5 3.6 3.5 3.3 2.9 2.4 5.9 4.8 4.5
Verbally abused someone 7.5 6.1 4.8 3.4 4.5 4.3 3.6 *2.1 6.3 5.3 4.3
Physically abused someone 3.4 1.7 *1.8 **0.3# 0.9 *0.9 *1.4 *0.9 2.4 1.4 1.6
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
(a) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
der, 2007
2016
9.9
12.4
3.5
15.1
3.1#
2.8#
*0.6#
Table 5.68: Been injured or overdosed and required medical attention while under the influence of illicit drugs, people aged
12 or older who had used each drug in the past 12 months, 2016 (per cent)
Pain-killers/analgesics and Misuse of pharmaceuticals
Marijuana/cannabis Ecstasy Meth/amphetamine Cocaine opioids (excludes OTC) (excludes OTC)
Injury requiring medical
1.2 *1.7 *4.4 *0.7 *1.8 *1.5
attention
Injury requiring admission
*0.3 **0.5 *2.4 n.p. **0.6 *0.5
to hospital
Overdose requiring
*0.3 **0.3 *2.9 — **0.4 *0.9
medical attention
Overdose requiring
**<0.1 n.p. **2.5 — n.p. **0.4
admission to hospital
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
Notes: Base is recent users of each drug specified.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
Table 5.69: Been injured or overdosed and required medical attention while under the influence of illicit drugs, by age, recent(a)illicit
drug users aged 12 or older, 2016 (per cent)
Injury requiring medical Injury requiring admission to Overdose requiring medical
attention hospital attention
Age group
14–19 n.p. n.p. **0.6
20–29 *1.3 **0.3 **0.4
30–39 *0.9 **0.2 **0.3
40–49 *1.6 *0.7 **0.8
50–59 *1.3 **0.7 **0.7
60+ **1.2 n.p. **0.3
14+ 1.1 *0.4 *0.5
18+ 1.2 *0.4 *0.5
Additional age groups
12–17 n.p. n.p. **1.1
18–24 *1.4 n.p. n.p.
25–34 *0.8 **0.2 **0.5
35–44 *0.9 **0.5 **0.4
45–54 *2.0 **0.9 **1.1
55–64 *2.0 **0.5 **0.6
65+ n.p. n.p. n.p.
12+ 1.1 *0.4 *0.5
14–19 n.p. n.p. **0.6
20–29 *1.3 **0.3 **0.4
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a high level of sampling error (relative standard error of 51% to 90%), meaning that it is unsuitable for most uses.
n.p. not published because of small numbers, confidentiality or other concerns about the quality of the data.
(a) Used at least 1 of 16 classes of illicit drugs in the previous 12 months in 2016.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
drugs, by age, recent(a)illicit
n.p.
**0.4
n.p.
**0.5
n.p.
**0.3
*0.3
*0.4
n.p.
n.p.
n.p.
**0.4
**0.7
**0.3
n.p.
*0.3
n.p.
**0.4
Table 5.70: Missed one or more days of work in the last 3 months due to illness, injury or drug use, recent(a) users of each drug specified
to 2016 (per cent)
Missed at least one day of work due to illness or Missed at least one day of work due to illicit d
injury use
Illicit drug used 2010 2013 2016 2010 2013
Marijuana/cannabis 55.6 52.5 55.5 3.8 2.5
Ecstasy 51.1 52.0 54.4 7.8 6.6
Meth/amphetamine(b) 58.4 56.4 62.0 9.1 6.3
Cocaine 46.3 45.4 51.2 10.2 4.3
Pain-killers/analgesics and opioids(b)(excludes
n.a. n.a. 58.2 n.a. n.a.
OTC(c))
Any illicit(d) 55.7 53.5 56.5 3.3 2.5
Not used any illicit 55.0 56.6 56.6 0.2 *0.2
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
# Statistically significant change between 2013 and 2016.
(a) Use of the specified illicit drug in the previous 12 months.
(b) For non-medical purposes.
(c) OTC refers to paracetamol, aspirin and other non-opioid over-the-counter pain-killers/analgesics.
(d) Illicit use of at least 1 of 16 classes of drugs in the previous 12 months in 2016. The number and type of illicit drugs used has changed over time.
Source: NDSHS 2016.
specified, 2010
e to illicit drug
2016
2.2
6.7
8.8
4.4
*3.4
2.1
0.4#