Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS)

The EDRS, formerly known as the Party Drug Initiative (PDI), is primarily concerned with monitoring use and markets of ecstasy and related drugs (ERDs) such as methamphetamine, GHB and ketamine, in Australia. It is intended to serve as a strategic early warning system to prepare policy makers, and the health and law enforcement sectors for issues likely to be of future concern. Like the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS), the EDRS is also designed to identify areas that require further and more detailed research.

The EDRS aims to:

describe the characteristics of a sample of current regular ecstasy users interviewed in each capital city of Australia
examine the patterns of ecstasy and other drug use of these sample users
document the current price, purity and availability of ecstasy and other party drugs across Australia
examine the incidence and nature of harms related to the use of ERDs

The EDRS uses a similar methodology to the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) in conducting:

quantitative interviews with regular ecstasy users (REU)
semi-structured interviews with key experts such as health professionals, law enforcement personnel, DJ's, night club managers and club staff
examination of indicator data such as customs data, overdose data, seizure data, and National Household Surveys of Drug Use

Regular ecstasy users (REU) have been identified as a sentinel group of ERDs users and are able to provide the required information on patterns of use, market characteristics, related harms and other issues associated with ERDs use. Key experts include party promoters, treatment providers and law enforcement personnel. Indicator data include purity of drug seizures and overdose rates. These data sources are examined together to identify convergent trends in ERDs use and markets. The methodology of the EDRS remains consistent, where possible, with that of the successful IDRS monitoring system.

The EDRS has been conducted in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia since 2000 and nationally since 2003.

The EDRS also produces :

	Quarterly bulletins provide information on interesting aspects of project results in a more accessible format
	The Australian Drug Trends series and jurisdictional reports present detailed information and statistics about drug trends nationally, and in each state and territory
	The annual National Drug Trends Conference presents the latest findings in illicit drug use, markets and related harms across Australia

The EDRS has also published a number of articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS)

Further Information