Australian Capital Territory 2019 Illicit Drug Reporting System Findings

Findings from the Australian Capital Territory 2019 Illicit Drug Reporting System Funded by the Australian Government under the Drug and Alcohol Program

Figure 1: Drug of choice, ACT, 2000-2019 100 90 76 80 % ACT IDRS participants 70 56 60 46 50 37 35 40 30 20 11 8 10 6 0 1 0 0 Heroin Methamphetamine Morphine Cocaine Cannabis Note. Substances listed in this figure are the primary endorsed; nominal percentages have endorsed other substances. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2000, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 2: Drug injected most often in the past month, ACT, 2000-2019 100 90 80 % ACT IDRS participants 82 70 60 53 52 50 45 40 43 30 20 13 10 0 Heroin Methamphetamine Morphine Cocaine Methadone Note. Substances listed in this figure are the primary endorsed; nominal percentages have endorsed other substances. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2000, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019

Figure 3: Weekly or more frequent substance use in the past six months, ACT, 2000-2019 100 90 79 80 71 % ACT IDRS participants 70 64 70 60 59 62 50 50 40 48 30 17 17 20 11 8 10 7 0 Heroin Cannabis Any methamphetamine Crystal methamphetamine Powder methamphetamine Note. These figures are of the entire sample. Y axis reduced to 80% to improve visibility of trends. *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 4: Past six month use and frequency of use of heroin, ACT, 2000-2019 100 180 92 90 160 160 77 80 75 % ACT IDRS participants 140 Median days used 70 120 60 100 50 90 80 40 60 30 48 40 20 20 10 0 0 % used in past 6 months Median frequency of use (days) Note. Median days computed among those who reported recent use (maximum 180 days). Median days rounded to the nearest whole number. *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019

Figure 5: Median price of heroin per cap and gram, ACT, 2000- 2019 600 485 500 Median price ($) 400 350 350 340 320 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 300 280 300 200 80 80 100 65 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 0 Cap Gram Note. Among those who commented. Price for a gram of heroin was not collected in 2000. *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 6: Current perceived purity of heroin, ACT, 2000-2019 100% 9 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 14 14 15 90% 26 % of those who commented 80% 27 27 41 34 34 32 27 70% 39 39 51 32 55 51 39 47 63 65 57 60% 82 50% 33 56 31 43 40% 38 38 39 38 26 44 30% 41 43 31 34 37 32 20% 26 28 27 30 26 22 21 10% 19 18 18 17 17 16 13 0% High Medium Low Fluctuates Note. The response Don t know was excluded from analysis. Data labels have been removed from figures throughout all years with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 7: Current perceived availability of heroin, ACT, 2000- 2019 100% * 8 9 9 8 10 9 10 12 10 16 18 90% 21 18 22 13 20 22 % of those who commented 80% 31 38 45 40 39 39 19 70% 42 47 49 34 48 48 46 39 60% 32 42 40 53 50% 89 40% 61 30% 60 57 53 52 51 51 48 48 44 43 43 41 41 20% 40 39 38 33 24 10% 0% Very easy Easy Difficult Very difficult Note. The response Don t know was excluded from analysis. Data labels have been removed from figures throughout all years with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 8: Past six month use of any methamphetamine, powder, base, and crystal, ACT, 2000-2019 100 85 90 % ACT IDRS participants 79 85 80 77 68 70 60 63 50 40 27 36 30 23 20 17 10 8 8 0 Speed Base# Crystal Any Methamphetamine Note. #Base asked separately from 2001 onwards. Any methamphetamine includes crystal, speed, base and liquid methamphetamine combined. Figures for liquid not reported historically due to small numbers, however in 2018 3% of the national sample reported use of liquid amphetamine in the six months preceding interview. *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 9: Frequency of use of any methamphetamine, powder, base, and crystal, ACT, 2000-2019 80 66 70 65 60 60 Median days 58 50 40 30 20 15 11 12 7 10 10 9 7 7 0 Speed Base Crystal Any Methamphetamine Note. Median days computed among those who reported recent use (maximum 180 days). Median days rounded to the nearest whole number. Y axis reduced to 80 to improve visibility of trends. Median days used base and crystal not collected in 2000-2001. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2000, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 10: Median price of powder methamphetamine per point and gram, ACT, 2002-2019 350 300 300 300 275 250 250 250 250 Median price ($) 235 235 250 220 200 200 200 200 175 175 150 150 125 100 65 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 0 Point Gram Note. Among those who commented. *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019. No respondents for the price of a gram in 2017

Figure 11: Current perceived purity of powder methamphetamine, ACT, 2002-2019 100% 6 8 8 9 9 9 11 11 11 13 17 90% 21 18 24 5 % of those who commented 22 15 21 80% 31 38 24 48 21 30 40 40 44 70% 18 44 28 57 60% 39 46 63 43 50% 50 24 41 38 19 33 44 40% 39 30 26 38 39 30% 33 27 41 20% 35 33 31 29 25 25 25 24 23 21 21 10% 19 17 14 0% High Medium Low Fluctuates Note. Methamphetamine asked separately for the three different forms from 2002 onwards. The response Don t know was excluded from analysis. Data labels have been removed from figures throughout all years with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 12: Current perceived availability of powder methamphetamine, ACT, 2002-2019 100% 8 11 12 7 14 13 % of those who commented 90% 20 20 15 18 20 28 23 11 22 80% 29 40 33 11 70% 44 35 25 31 40 43 67 56 60% 47 30 52 44 50% 44 56 21 40% 67 65 30% 58 54 51 49 48 44 42 41 20% 36* 34 34 31 30 28 28 10% 20 0% Very easy Easy Difficult Very difficult Note. Methamphetamine asked separately for the three different forms from 2002 onwards. The response Don t know was excluded from analysis. Data labels have been removed from figures throughout all years with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 13: Median price of crystal methamphetamine per point and gram, ACT, 2002-2019 800 700 700 575 600 Median price ($) 500 500 500 500 410 390 380 400 325 325 300 300 200 100 100 100 93 85 100 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 0 Point Gram Note. Among those who commented. No data available for gram in 2001. *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 14: Current perceive purity of crystal methamphetamine, ACT, 2002-2019 100% 10 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 16 17 18 18 19 90% 8 21 % of those who commented 13 22 12 80% 18 17 15 14 22 16 15 20 19 25 22 16 27 70% 19 26 54 15 60% 27 38 27 39 15 35 50% 30 30 35 35 43 27 41 40% 71 60 30% 19 54 54 45 43 20% 39 38 35 35 34 33 31 31 29 24 21 21 10% 0% High Medium Low Fluctuates Note. Methamphetamine asked separately for the three different forms from 2002 onwards. The response Don t know was excluded from analysis. Data labels have been removed from figures throughout all years with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 15: Current perceived availability of crystal methamphetamine, ACT, 2002-2019 100% 7 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 11 % of those who commented 90% 18 29 20 25 80% 35 27 30 32 47 34 45 42 70% 44 45 43 43 50 50 21 60% 42 44 50% 29 43 40% 21 68 62 61 30% 57 52 51 51 48 47 45 34 20% 39 39 38 36 32 29 10% 19 0% Very easy Easy Difficult Very Difficult Note. Methamphetamine asked separately for the three different forms from 2002 onwards. The response Don t know was excluded from analysis. Data labels have been removed from figures throughout all years with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 16: Past six month use and frequency of use of cocaine, ACT, 2000-2019 100 10 90 9 % ACT IDRS participants 80 8 Median days used 70 7 60 6 6 50 5 40 4 30 3 15 20 2 2 10 1 14 15 0 0 % Used Median days Note. Median days computed among those who reported recent use (maximum 180 days). Median days rounded to the nearest whole number. Y axis reduced to 10 to improve visibility of trends. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2000, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 17: Past six month use and frequency of use of cannabis, ACT, 2000-2019 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 180 175 170 100 180 90 89 89 86 90 85 85 87 160 84 83 81 81 81 81 80 79 79 76 80 75 74 140 % ACT IDRS participants 69 70 120 Median Days 60 100 50 80 40 60 30 40 20 20 10 0 0 % Used Median days Note. Median days computed among those who reported recent use (maximum 180 days). Median days rounded to the nearest whole number. *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 18: Median price of hydroponic (a) and bush (b) cannabis per ounce and gram, ACT, 2003-2019 (A) Hydroponic cannabis (B) Bush cannabis 300 350 323 265 250255 280290300 300295300 300290300 300 250 250 250240 250 250 290 240 300 280 280 265280* 250 230 220 210 250 200 200 200 250 190 200 Median price ($) Median price ($) 200 150 150 100 100 50 50 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 15 13 0 0 Ounce Gram Ounce Gram Note. Among those who commented. From 2003 onwards hydroponic and bush cannabis data collected separately. No data available for ounce in 2000 and 2001.

Figure 19: Current perceived potency of hydroponic (a) and bush (b) cannabis, ACT, 2004-2019 (A) Hydroponic cannabis (B) Bush cannabis 100% 100% 7 7 7 6 8 8 8 8 9 8 9 10 10 10 12 9 15 16 90% 90% 7 14 10 11 13 14 15 16 28 14 20 % of those who commented 25 22 19 21 80% 80% 25 % of those who commented 21 28 31 33 27 42 24 35 26 70% 70% 31 39 37 31 35 45 48 60% 60% 65 59 49 56 61 48 59 50% 51 50% 48 64 45 40 55 56 50 40% 40% 73 68 64 63 61 61 30% 60 30% 58 54 53 53 52 50 49 49 45 20% 20% 37 31 28 27 27 25 23 24 24 24 10% 22 10% 15 15 14 0% 0% High Medium Low Fluctuates High Medium Low Fluctuates Note. The response Don t know was excluded from analysis. Hydroponic and bush cannabis data collected separately from 2004 onwards. Data labels have been removed from figures throughout all years with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 20: Current perceived availability of hydroponic (a) and bush (b) cannabis, ACT, 2004-2019 (A) Hydroponic cannabis (B) Bush cannabis 100% 100% 7 8 8 10 12 12 11 17 11 90% 20 90% 21 15 25 19 21 19 % of those who commented 24 26 18 20 31 % of those who commented 23 80% 33 80% 39 27 39 38 39 27 43 42 39 32 39 48 70% 70% 35 52 48 51 33 44 60% 60% 35 43 50 41 41 43 37 50% 44 57 50% 46 54 42 45 40% 40% 64 64 30% 58 61 30% 56 57 55 53 53 56 53 52 52 47 50 44 42 42 42 20% 41 20% 37 35 35 35 32 32 29 27 27 10% 23 23 21 10% 0% 0% Very easy Easy Difficult Very difficult Very easy Easy Difficult Very difficult Note. The response Don t know was excluded from analysis. * Hydroponic and bush cannabis data collected separately from 2004 onwards. Data labels have been removed from figures throughout all years with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 21: Past six month use (prescribed and non-prescribed) and frequency of use of methadone, ACT, 2000-2019 100 180 180 180 90 160 % ACT IDRS participants 80 140 Median days 70 120 114 60 51 100 50 45 45 80 40 60 30 40 20 15 13 20 10 0 0 % Any Use % Non-Prescribed Use Median days (any) Note. Includes methadone syrup and tablets. Non-prescribed use not distinguished 2000-2002. Median days computed among those who reported recent use (maximum 180 days). Median days rounded to the nearest whole number. *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 22: Past six month use (prescribed and non-prescribed) and frequency of use of buprenorphine, ACT, 2002-2019 100 180 90 % ACT IDRS participants 160 80 140 Median days used 70 120 60 100 50 80 40 60 30 40 20 10 9 9 6 20 10 14 13 0 0 % Any Use % Non-Prescribed Use Median days (any) Note. Median days computed among those who reported recent use (maximum 180 days). Median days rounded to the nearest whole number. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2002, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 23: Past six month use (prescribed and non-prescribed) and frequency of use of buprenorphine-naloxone, ACT, 2006- 2019 40 180 160 % ACT IDRS participants 140 30 27 25 120 Median Days 23 21 21 100 20 90 19 19 19 20 17 80 16 16 16 16 14 13 12 12 12 60 12 11 11 10 9 10 40 6 23 7 15 20 9 6 0 0 Note. From 2006-2011 participants were asked about the use of buprenorphine-naloxone tablet; from 2012-2015 participants were asked about the use of buprenorphine-naloxone tablet and film; from 2016- 2018 participants were asked about the use of buprenorphine naloxone film only. Median days computed among those who reported recent use (maximum 180 days). Median days rounded to the nearest whole number. Y axis reduced to 100 to improve visibility of trends. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2006, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019. % Any Use % Non-Prescribed Use Median days

Figure 24: Past six month use (prescribed and non-prescribed) and frequency of use of morphine, ACT, 2001-2019 100 180 90 160 % ACT IDRS participants 80 140 Median days used 70 120 60 100 50 80 39 40 60 30 17 40 15 20 11 10 20 10 3 5 0 0 % Any Use % Non-Prescribed Use Median days Note. Median days computed among those who reported recent use (maximum 180 days). Median days rounded to the nearest whole number. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2001, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 25: Past six month use (prescribed and non-prescribed) and frequency of use of oxycodone, ACT, 2005-2019 100 40 90 % ACT IDRS participants 35 Median days used 80 30 30 70 25 60 50 20 40 15 30 10 17 17 15 14 14 20 10 5 10 3* 0 0 % Any Use % Non-Prescribed Use Median days (any) Note. From 2005-2015 participants were asked about any oxycodone; from 2016-2018, oxycodone was broken down into three types: tamper resistant ( OP ), non-tamper proof (generic) and other oxycodone . Median days computed among those who reported recent use (maximum 180 days). Median days rounded to the nearest whole number. Y axis reduced to 40 to improve visibility of trends. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2005, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 26: Past six month use (prescribed and non-prescribed) and frequency of use of fentanyl, ACT, 2013-2019 100 180 90 % ACT IDRS participants 160 80 140 70 Median Days 120 60 100 50 80 40 60 30 40 20 14 11 10 10 8 8 7 6 20 5 10 5 3 0 0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 % Any Use % Non-Prescribed Use Median days Note. Data on fentanyl use not collected from 2000-2012, and data on any non-prescribed use not collected 2013-2017. For the first time in 2018, use was captured as prescribed versus non-prescribed. Median days computed among those who reported recent use (maximum 180 days). Median days rounded to the nearest whole number. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2013, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 27: Past six month use of low-dose codeine (for non- pain purposes), ACT, 2013-2019 50 % ACT IDRS participants 40 30 26 19 20 17 13 10 8 10 0 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 % Any Use Note. Differences between 2018 and 2019, and previous years data should be viewed with caution due to differences in the way questions were asked in 2018 and 2019 (i.e. participants could only report use occurring in the last six months but prior to rescheduling in February 2018). Y axis reduced to 50% to improve visibility of trends. Data labels have been removed from figures with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 28: Past six month use of other drugs, ACT, 2000-2019 97 97 93 100 90 % ACT IDRS participants 75 80 70 62* 57 60 51 50 40 28 35 26 30 20 18 13 11 10 10 0 Benzodiazepines Pharmaceutical stimulants Anti-psychotics Steroids Alcohol Tobacco E-cigarettes Note. Non-prescribed use is reported for prescription medicines (i.e., benzodiazepines, anti-psychotics, and pharmaceutical stimulants). Participants were first asked about steroids in 2010, anti-psychotics in 2011 and e-cigarettes in 2014. Pharmaceutical stimulants were separated into prescribed and non- prescribed from 2006 onwards, and benzodiazepines were separated into prescribed and non-prescribed in 2007; Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2000, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 29: Use of opioids, stimulants and benzodiazepines on the day preceding interview, ACT, 2018-2019 Note. This figure captures those who had used stimulants, opioids and/or benzodiazepines on the day preceding interview (77%; n=77). 2018 2019

Figure 30: Past 12 month non-fatal overdose, ACT, 2000-2019 100 90 % ACT IDRS participants 80 70 60 50 40 34 28 30 22 21 20 19 19 19 17 17 16 16 15 15 15 20 14 13 12 12 12 10 0 Past 12 month Note. Estimates from 2000-2005 refer to heroin and morphine non-fatal overdose only. *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 31: Take-home naloxone program and distribution, ACT, 2013-2019 100 90 97 95 94 94 % ACT IDRS participants 93 92 89 80 85 81 80 70 77 77 70 70 60 50 51 48 40 45 45 43 38 30 34 32 30 20 18 10 14 0 Heard of naloxone Heard of take-home programs Trained in naloxone administration Heard of naloxone rescheduling Note. *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 32: Borrowing and lending of needles and sharing of injecting equipment in the past month, ACT, 2000-2019 100 90 % ACT IDRS participants 80 64 70 60 47 50 43 37 40 27 30 20 14 11 10 9 10 8 6*** 10 0 Borrowed needles Lent needles Shared other equipment Re-used needle Note. Data collection for reused own needle started in 2008. Borrowed (receptive): used a needle after someone else. Lent (distributive): somebody else used a needle after them. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2000, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 33: Injection-related issues in the past month, ACT, 2019 60 % ACT IRDRS Participants 48 50 40 30 24 20 18 20 15 10 10 0 % Artery injection % Nerve damage % Any thrombosis % Septic arthritis % Infection/abscess % Dirty hit % Any injection related problem Note. Values suppressed due to small cell size (n 5 but not 0). Y axis reduced to 60% to improve visibility of trends.

Figure 34: Driving risk behaviour in the last six months, ACT, 2005-2019 100 90 % ACT IDRS participants 80 70 60 50 40 38 30 27 20 18 10 6 8* 0 Note. Driven over the perceived limit of alcohol and driven a vehicle within three hours of using an illicit or non-prescribed drug. Data not collected in 2014. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2005, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019

Figure 35: Self-reported mental health problems and treatment seeking in the past six months, ACT, 2004-2019 100 90 % ACT IDRS participants 80 70 60 50 17 14 7 40 10 16 8 11 18 7 15 30 9 14 29 15 18 41 20 38 38* 33 33 30 29 29 29 25 24 23 22 10 19 17 13 0 Attendance No attendance Note. Stacked bar graph of % who self-reported a mental health problem, disaggregated by the percentage who reported attending a health professional versus the percentage who have not. Data labels have been removed from figures throughout all years with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.

Figure 36: Self-reported criminal activity in the past month, ACT, 2000-2019 100 90 % ACT IDRS participants 80 70 58 55 60 51 50 50 46 50 41 40 40 39 38 38 40 35 34 34 34 40 33 32 26 30 22 27 26 17 16 20 21 1212 8** 10 0 Property crime Drug dealing Fraud Violent crime Any crime Note. Any crime comprises the percentage who report any property crime, drug dealing, fraud and/or violent crime in the past month. Data labels have been removed from figures in years 2000, 2017 and 2018 with small cell size (i.e. n 5). *p<0.050; **p<0.010; ***p<0.001 for 2018 versus 2019.