The Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) is a national monitoring system for ecstasy and related drugs that is intended to serve as a strategic early warning system, identifying emerging trends of local and national interest in the markets for these drugs. The EDRS is based on the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) methodology and consists of three components: interviews with regular ecstasy users (REU); interviews with key experts (KEs), professionals who have regular contact with regular ecstasy users through their work; and analysis and examination of indicator data sources related to ecstasy and other related drugs. The EDRS monitors the price, purity, availability and patterns of use of ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine, ketamine, GHB, MDA and LSD. The EDRS is designed to be sensitive to trends, providing data in a timely manner, rather than describing issues in extensive detail.
The aims of this project are:
Previously known as the Party Drug Initiative (PDI), the EDRS is coordinated by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, and is conducted by different research institutions in each Australian state and territory. The EDRS uses a similar methodology to the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). Regular ecstasy users are interviewed as they were identified as a group of drug users that are able to provide the required information on patterns of ecstasy and related drugs (ERDs) use, the current availability, price and purity of ERDs and perceived drug-related health issues associated with ERDs use. A semi-structured survey of experts in the field of ERDs (e.g. party promoters, treatment providers and law enforcement personnel) is also conducted and indicator data (e.g. purity of drug seizures and overdose rates) are analysed. These data sources are examined together to identify convergent trends in ERDs use and markets.
The EDRS was conducted successfully in every state and territory in 2012. 607 regular ecstasy users were interviewed, providing information on their drug use patterns, ecstasy and related drug markets and related issues. Key experts from a range of professions provided information on the ecstasy and related drug users they had contact with. Indicator data including Australian Customs Service seizures, purity analysis and treatment data were examined.
The project is ongoing in 2013.
Drug Trends hosts an annual conference in October. The 12th National Drug Trends Conference was held on October 9, 2012. Please see the resources at the bottom of this page for the conference handout.
Throughout the year, quarterly bulletins outlining current drug trends or issues of interest are also disseminated. These bulletins are available on the NDARC website on the Drug Trends group page and in the Resources section.
Finally, national and state reports of EDRS findings are released in April each year. Recent national and jurisdictional reports can be found at the bottom of this page. You can also search for a specific report in the Resources page search bar.
CRICOS Provider Code: 00D98G
ABN 57 195 873 179
T +61 (2) 9385 0333
F +61 (2) 9385 0222
E ndarc@unsw.edu.au
NDARC
University of New South Wales
Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
Randwick Campus
22 - 32 King Street
Randwick NSW 2031
