Overview and background
The National Drug Strategy Household Surveys provide cross-sectional data on alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in Australia. The survey is part of the National Drug Strategy which aims to improve the health, social and economic outcomes for the Australian Society.
The data collected by these surveys are used to provide estimates of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in Australia. The data collected also measure community attitudes towards alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. It also asks about respondent's awareness of and community support for various drug-related policies.
The 2013 National Drug Strategy Household Survey is the eleventh in a series of household surveys conducted by the Australian Government. Previous surveys were conducted in 1985, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) is conducting the 2013 survey.
The funding for the survey is provided by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. Roy Morgan Research Ltd (RMR) have been contracted to collect the information for this survey.
Objectives
The project objectives are to gather data about drug use and related issues in the general population by means of a household-based survey.
The specific objectives of the 2013 survey are to:
- provide estimates of licit and illicit drug use
- provide information on drug use patterns and trends, and on drugs and health
- identify groups with a high risk for drug abuse
- provide data on drug related abuse and potential harm
- measure community awareness and knowledge of licit and illicit drugs
- measure community support for various drug-related policies.
The potential survey population is people aged 12 years or older residing in private dwellings in Australia, at the time of the survey. The person aged 12 years or older who has the next birthday was selected as the potential respondent. The design of the survey excludes those who live in non-private dwellings, are homeless or live in institutions or at military bases.
Privacy and ethics
All the information collected through the survey is protected by legislation. Section 29 of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Act 1987 prohibits the release of any information about individuals collected in the survey. No results or any other data that could possibly identify individuals may be released.
The research is carried out in compliance with the Privacy Act 1988 and the information is only used for research purposes.
The survey project was approved by the AIHW Ethics Committee.
Further information
If you have any questions about the survey, how it is conducted or how to complete or return the survey, please call the National Drug Strategy Household Survey Hotline on
1800 000 293 (free call)
Weekdays between 8.30am and 9pm (AEST)
Weekends between 10am and 4pm (AEST)
For any questions or concerns about issues of privacy in relation to the survey, or about the way in which information collected will be used, please contact the AIHW on
1800 443 510 (free call)
Weekdays between 8am and 6pm (AEST)
or email .