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Australian drug trends : findings of the Illicit Drug Reporting System
Australian drug trends : findings of the Illicit Drug Reporting System and the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System
National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales
The Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) is an ongoing illicit drug monitoring system funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing and the National Drug Law Enforcement Research Fund. Conducted in all jurisdictions in Australia since 2000, the purpose of the IDRS is to provide a coordinated approach to monitoring the use of illicit drugs - in particular, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and cannabis. It is intended to serve as a strategic early warning system, identifying emerging trends of local and national concern in illicit drug markets that warrant further monitoring.
These annual reports provide a national summary of trends across Australia. These trends have been extrapolated from three data sources: interviews with injecting drug users, interviews with key experts who through the nature of their work have regular contact with illicit drug users, and an examination of existing indicator data sources related to illicit drug use. The focus is on the capital city in each state, as new trends in illicit drug markets are more likely to emerge in large cities rather than regional centres or rural areas. Reports describing drug trends nationally and in each state/territory are released each year. Reports on ecstasy and related drug use are also released.
To see the national and jurisdictional reports from IDRS and EDRS, go to:
