Overview

Illicit use of drugs causes death and disability and is a risk factor for many diseases. It is also associated with risks to users' family and friends and to the community. Illicit use of drugs includes use of illegal drugs, misuse or non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs, or inappropriate use of other substances (such as inhalants).

More reports and statistics on illicit use of drugs can be found under Alcohol, Alcohol & other drug treatment services and Smoking.

Latest findings

In 2016, about 1 in 8 Australians smoked daily while 6 in 10 had never smoked Homosexual/bisexual people were 5.8 times as likely as heterosexual people to use ecstasy and meth/amphetamines Support for legalisation of cannabis and use of it in clinical trials to treat medical conditions increased in 2016 Self-reported levels of psychological distress are increasing among recent users of tobacco and illicit drugs 10% of drinkers drove a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol in 2016 but this declined from 12% in 2013 1 in 5 meth/amphetamine users used the drug weekly or more often in 2016 The non-medical use of pharmaceutical drugs is an increasing public health problem in Australia Over the past 50 years, levels of apparent consumption of different alcoholic beverages changed substantially People who inject drugs experience considerably poorer health outcomes than other drug users Among current smokers, 3 in 10 tried to quit but did not succeed and about 1 in 3 do not intend to quit Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in Australia There is a strong link between problematic alcohol or other drug use and experiences of homelessness In 2016, recent use of cannabis was highest in NT, meth/amphetamine use was highest in WA, cocaine was highest in NSW The proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who smoke has declined significantly 4 in 10 people either smoked daily, drank alcohol in risky quantities or used an illicit drug in the past 12 months Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable burden in Australia

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Highlights

16% (3.1 million)Australians aged 14 or older had illicitly used drugs in the last 12 months, in 2016; use was highest among 20–29 year olds (28%)
Use of any illicit drug increased among people in their 40s (from 12% to 16%) and 50s (from 6.7% to 12%) between 2001 and 2016
The top 4 illegal drugsmost likely used in the previous 12 months in 2016 were cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and meth/amphetamines
1 in 10people aged 14 or older had been a victim of an illicit drug-related incident in the previous 12 months in 2016
Australian methamphetamine user outcomesBulletin prepared by the AIHW & AIC that examines the demographics of methamphetamine users & their employment, education & health outcomes
27%of drug treatment episodes in 2017-18 were for amphetamines, making it the second most commonly treated drug in Australia
1 in 20Australians aged 14 or older had misused pharmaceuticals in the last 12 months in 2016
4 in 10Australians perceived meth/amphetamines to be the drug of most serious concern to the general community in 2016