Impacts-of-methamphetamine-in-Victoria-Community-Assessment-Penington-Institute

methamphetamine-related offences have increased, and is likely to be contributing to what theAuditor-General has described as dangerously over-crowded prisons [81].The above data would indicate that on the supply side at least, conditions appear conducive toincreased availability of methamphetamine in Victoria. The next section will look at published datathat assists us to understand whether or not there may be increased use, at least amongstpopulations regularly studied as part of on-going surveillance and research in Australia.6.2. Indicators of levels of demand/use6.2.1. National Drug Strategy Household SurveyAustralia’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS), conducted every three years, providesan indication of levels of methamphetamine use and is particularly interesting in relation to youngpeople. Due to the stigmatizing and illegal nature of methamphetamine use, as well as itsmethodology, significant under-reporting is likely.Nationally, the 2010 NDSHS found that meth/amphetamines use was high among unemployed people(4.8 per cent), homosexual and bisexual people (7.1 per cent), those who had never been married(3.8 per cent), and single people without children (3.4 per cent). Further, four per cent of 18 and 19year olds and 5.9 per cent of people aged between 20-29 years had used methamphetamine in theprevious 12 months [20]. This compares with 3.4 per cent of 30-39 year olds and 0.5 per cent ofthose aged over 40 years. Other available data find that among particular populations of youngpeople use may be higher. A recent study from South Australia found that around 20 per cent ofyoung nightclub goers (N=457) were using methamphetamine [82].The NDHS does not produce state/territory breakdowns in any drug category. The survey wasconducted again last year, and the report is expected later in 2014.6.2.2. IDRS and EDRSThe Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) is a national annual survey of people who inject drugs,capturing various aspects of their drug use such as types of drugs consumed and methods ofconsumption [15]. Similarly, the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) reports on thedrug use of regular ecstasy users in Australia [83]. Both the IDRS and the EDRS report on the druguse of experienced and ‘sentinel’ groups of drug use, and in Victoria conduct the research inMelbourne only. The data collected are not considered representative of drug use in the generalpopulation, but may predict drug use trends and act as an early warning system.The most recent IDRS and EDRS surveys indicate the use of methamphetamine in all forms amongthese established drug user populations may be trending down. The IDRS reports that in Victoria, 61per cent of respondents used methamphetamine in the previous six months in 2013, down from 67per cent in 2012 [84]. The EDRS reports that 71 per cent of Victorian respondents had usedmethamphetamine in the previous six months in the 2013 survey, down from 84 per cent ofrespondents in 2012 [85].The 2013 data indicated that use of crystal methamphetamine among these populations was lessthan reported in 2012. The 2013 IDRS reports that 55 per cent of participants in Victoria had usedcrystal methamphetamine in the past six months compared to 59 per cent in 2012. The EDRS reportsthat, in 2013, 45 per cent of Victorian participants had used crystal methamphetamine in the past sixmonths compared to 48 per cent in 2012. However, while these data suggest use of this form of26