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