Summary
In New South Wales (NSW) in 2007–08, 268 government-funded alcohol and other drug treatment agencies and outlets provided 42,078 treatment episodes. This represented an increase of 6 treatment agencies and around 4,000 episodes compared to 2006–07.
The median age of persons receiving treatment for their own drug use and those seeking treatment in relation to someone else’s drug use was similar to 2006–07 (34 years and 47 years respectively).
Alcohol was the most common principal drug of concern, rising from 45% of episodes in 2006–07 to 49% of episodes this year. Cannabis accounted for 17% and heroin for 12% of episodes. The proportion of amphetamine-related episodes fell slightly from 13% to 11%.
Main treatment types followed the 2006–07 pattern with some small changes in proportions. Counselling was the most common form of main treatment provided (29% of episodes), followed by withdrawal management (detoxification) (20%) and ‘other’ treatments (17%).