Since 2010, the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation (ARR Foundation) has conducted annual nation-wide polling to determine community attitudes and behaviours relating to alcohol. This is the first time polling has been made public. Key objectives of the polling include;
• Determining community attitudes towards alcohol in Australia
• Getting an understanding of self-reported alcohol consumption patterns in Australia; and
• Determine current perspectives on various alcohol-related policies.
The Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) has been collecting data on drug market trends in each capital city in Australia since 2000. Data on the price, purity and availability of heroin, methamphetamines, cocaine and cannabis is routinely collected in order to monitor trends over time. An analysis of 11 years of NSW IDRS data is presented to document trends in cocaine use in Sydney from 2000-2010.
IDRS Drug Trends Bulletin (Supplement), NDARC, April 2011.
Has ecstasy peaked? A look at the Australian ecstasy market over the past eight years [webpage]
EDRS Drug trends Bulletin, NDARC, April 2011.
Over the past two decades, ecstasy has been one of the most widely used recreational drugs in Australia. However, data collected by the EDRS appears to indicate declining interest in ecstasy among ecstasy and related drug (ERD) users. This bulletin examines local and global trends in the use of ecstasy in order to ascertain whether interest in the drug has indeed peaked in the Australian market.
This report highlights the need for greater investment in the prevention, treatment and harm reduction sector so that those most disadvantaged in our community are not further disadvantaged by an ineffective system. The findings from this project tell a similar story to many other research projects undertaken in this area. The next steps must be to move from analysis and consideration to action — that is, a structured and detailed approach to planning and delivering services that encompasses the complexity inherent among Aboriginal people who inject drugs, but is practical enough to make a difference.
[Page updated - 17 May 2012]
