Key findings
- Heroin remained the most commonly reported drug of choice for participants who inject drugs. Recent heroin use remained stable while the frequency of use significantly decreased. The availability of heroin was ‘very easy’ and purity ‘low’.
- Recent use of ice/crystal remained stable, while speed powder and base decreased significantly. All forms were considered ‘very easy’ or ‘easy’ to obtain. Ice/crystal was reported as ‘high’ in purity, while speed powder and base were ‘medium’.
- NSW remained the only jurisdiction where sizeable numbers of participants were able to comment on cocaine. Recent use and frequency of cocaine use remained stable. Price remained stable. Nationally, the availability of cocaine was reported as ‘easy’ and purity as ‘medium’.
- The cannabis market remained stable. Recent use and frequency of use remained high, usually daily or near-daily. Hydroponic cannabis dominated the market.
- Extra-medical use and injection of pharmaceutical preparations continued to occur, with jurisdictional differences in patterns observed.
- Sharing of injecting equipment was common. Less than half of the participants re-used their own needles in the last month.
- Nearly half of the national sample self-reported a mental health problem in the last six months. Mainly depression, followed by anxiety. Nearly half of the national sample reported driving in the last six months. Over three-quarters drove after taking an illicit drug.
- Over one-third of the national sample reported some form of criminal activity in the last month, mainly drug dealing or property crime. Around one-third had been arrested in the last year.