4808.0 - Illicit Drug Use, Sources of Australian Data, 2001  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/11/2001   
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MEDIA RELEASE

November 28, 2001
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
134/2001

ABS releases guide to sources on illicit drug use

A comprehensive guide to the availability of Australian data on the use of illicit drugs was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today.

The publication, Illicit Drug Use, Sources of Australian Data, reports on a range of national data sources, covering prevalence and patterns of use, law and order, health, family and community issues and economics. A commentary is provided on each of the main data sources, along with contact details, for both non-ABS and ABS sources. Limitations and gaps in available data are also identified.

Illicit drug use is of international concern and has become a major cause of concern within the Australian community as it affects so many facets of society. As the national statistical agency the ABS is interested in supporting the use of data on key social issues for research, policy development and decision making.

Data on the consequences to society of illicit drugs use are available from a wide range of sources. Important information can be obtained from the administrative records of public service providers such as police, hospitals and coroners, as well as surveys of the Australian population as a whole or specific groups such as injecting drug users and criminals.

Researchers can confidently use this paper as a valuable reference as it provides a guide to material on illicit drug use across many fields of study and from different perspectives. The appendices and bibliography provide a wealth of information, as well as providing a base from which further material may be accessed.

Illicit Drug Use, Sources of Australian Data is available free of charge from the this site.

Catalogue reference: Illicit Drug Use, Sources of Australian Data, Cat. No. 4808.0

Copies of this publication are available in ABS Bookshops in capital cities. If you wish to purchase a copy of this publication contact the ABS bookshop in your capital city.