EDRS FAQ
Researchers at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre would like to invite people who use ecstasy to participate in a one-hour CONFIDENTIAL and ANONYMOUS interview for the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS). Participants are reimbursed $40 for their time and expenses. Contact the study coordinator in your state.
Is this research anonymous?
Yes. At no time will information that can identify you (such as your name) be recorded on the questionnaire. You are also free to use a false name.
Is this research legitimate?
Yes. This study is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (AGDH&A) and has been conducted in each state and territory in Australia since 2003. It is coordinated nationally by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC).
How does it work?
We conduct interviews each year with people who regularly use ecstasy and related drugs.
This information is combined with other data (e.g. key expert interviews, drug related deaths, purity of drug seizures etc) to create a comprehensive picture of the Australian drug market.
Could I get in trouble for revealing this sort of information?
As part of our requirements for ethical research, we are under obligation to ensure that participation is both confidential and anonymous. For example, that means that we do not reveal personal information about you to others and we do not attach your name or any other personally identifying information to your interview responses. It is important to us to ensure that our participants are treated in a respectful and ethical manner which includes protecting their privacy.
However, there are certain circumstances in which we need to break our confidentiality. These include:
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If you reveal the intention to hurt yourself or another person.
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If you disclose specific details about a crime that you witnessed or were involved in (such as date, place, persons involved).
What happens with the information collected?
The de-identified data (i.e. containing no personal details) is kept in a secured database. The only people who can see this data are those who are directly involved with the study or who apply for special permission.
What do I have to do if I participate?
EDRS participants usually contact us either via sms, by email or by calling us. The EDRS coordinator for their state will then ask them a few questions to ensure they are eligible to participate in the study. If they are eligible, the coordinator will then book a time for them to complete the interview. Interviews are sometimes completed on site at the centre where the study is held and sometimes in other locations which may be more convenient for participants (e.g. in a cafe or a park).
It takes about 1 hour to complete an EDRS interview. Participants are reimbursed $40 for their time and travel expenses.
During the interview, you will be asked questions about your use of drugs and alcohol, the price, purity and availability of drugs and other questions about your health and wellbeing (e.g. sexual health, mental health etc). You do not have to answer anything you are uncomfortable answering. There are no blood, urine or hair samples taken as part of the study.
What is the EDRS?
The EDRS is a drug market monitoring study which is undertaken each year in every capital city of Australia. The project aims to examine patterns of use of ecstasy and other related drugs (such as speed, base, ice, ketamine, GHB, LSD, cocaine etc.); to document the price, purity and availability of these drugs; to look at drug related harms and to identify emerging trends that require further investigation.
How is the data used?
The data is used to:
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Compose a yearly report on drug markets in each state and territory as well as nationally.
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Write quarterly bulletins addressing specific topics.
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Write research papers which inform the scientific and medical communities.
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Provide information sessions to health care providers and law enforcement personnel.
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Respond to enquiries about the drug markets (e.g. from the media or from government departments).
Can I look at some findings from previous years’ studies?
Has this research received ethics approval?
Yes. Ethics approval has been received from the University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee: Approval number HREC-10071.
How do I get involved?
You can find the contact details for your state below and either SMS, call or email them directly. You
must contact the coordinator for the state you are
currently living in. Scroll down to find their details or click on the link next to their name to send them an email directly.
New South Wales (NSW) – Joe
Otherwise, you can contact Joe via the details below:
Mobile: 0405 142 787
Desk phone: (02) 9385 0301
Victoria (VIC) – Danielle
Otherwise, you can contact Danielle via the details below:
Mobile: 0431 461 545
Desk phone: (03) 9282 2105
Queensland (QLD) – Fairlie
Otherwise, you can contact Fairlie via the details below:
Mobile: 0434 606 981
Desk phone: (07) 3365 5443
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – Kerryn
Otherwise, you can contact Kerryn via the details below:
Mobile: 0405 140 685
Desk phone: (02) 9385 0187
Email:
actedrs@unsw.edu.au
South Australia (SA) – Rachel
Otherwise, you can contact Rachel via the details below:
Mobile: 0410 847 033
Desk phone: (02) 9385 0256
Western Australia (WA) – Jodie
Otherwise, you can contact Jodie via the details below:
Mobile: 0416 303 461
Desk phone:(08) 9266 1615
Tasmania (TAS)
Otherwise, you can contact the research team via the details below:
SMS: 0458 748 758
Leave a voice message: (03) 6226 7697
Northern Territory (NT) – Liz
Otherwise, you can contact Liz via the details below:
Mobile: 0449 266 047
Desk phone: (02) 9385 0254
This information was accurate at 9/04/2013.
