1367.8 - Australian Capital Territory Statistical Indicators, Sep 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 31/10/2003  Ceased
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

Cannabis used by one third of young people in the ACT


In the last 12 months, 35% of males and 34% of females aged between 14 and 24 in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) have used cannabis, according to a feature article on Drugs in the ACT released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The feature article appearing in the publication, ACT Statistical Indicators (cat. no. 1367.8), drew on findings from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey.

Other key findings for the ACT included:
  • In the 18-24 year old age group, 27% of females and 22% of males were smokers (tobacco);
  • Compared with national figures, the ACT had the lowest proportion of daily tobacco smokers (19%), but the highest proportion of daily drinkers (10%) and the highest proportion of ecstasy and designer drug users (5%);
  • The number of ecstasy seizures reported in the ACT rose from 11 in 2000-01 to 51 in 2001-02;
  • The highest proportion of people in the ACT seeking treatment for drugs were heroin users. Nationally, the most commonly sought drug treatment was for alcohol use;
  • In 2001, there were 21 drug induced deaths in the ACT; and
  • There were 11 prisoners sentenced in the ACT for drug offences in 2001.

The publication also contains figures relating to the ACT's demography, labour force, prices, building and construction, crime and justice, finance, retail, the economy, transport and climate.

Further information is in Australian Capital Territory Statistical Indicators, September Quarter 2003 (cat. no. 1367.8).

Media Note: This is the final hard copy issue of Australian Capital Territory Statistical Indicators, September Quarter 2003 (cat. no. 1367.8).