National Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Strategy Background Paper: Monograph Series No. 69
2.3 Jurisdictional variations
Table of contents
Methamphetamine
In the 2006 IDRS, while there was a general pattern of increased crystal methamphetamine compared to 2005, variations were observed in use of forms of methamphetamine between jurisdictions. Crystal methamphetamine was the form most used in the last six months (recent use) in Canberra, Perth and Sydney (O’Brien et al., 2007). Recent use of crystal methamphetamine in Canberra increased from 62% in 2005 to 88% in 2006, in Perth from 68% in 2005 to 76% in 2006, and in Sydney from 35% in 2005 to 50% in 2006. Speed powder was the most common form recently used in Melbourne, Darwin and Brisbane, with the highest proportion of IDU reporting use of speed powder in Melbourne at 71%. Base was the form most used in Hobart and Adelaide.As with the IDRS, there were jurisdictional variations in the REU samples of the 2006 EDRS. Crystal methamphetamine was the form most used in Perth, both lifetime use (89%) and recent use (77%) (Dunn et al., 2007). Lifetime use of crystal methamphetamine was also common in Melbourne (73%), Adelaide (73%) and Sydney (68%). Recent use of crystal methamphetamine was common in Adelaide (61%), Sydney (56%) and Brisbane (50%). Speed was the form most used in Melbourne, both lifetime use (100%) and recent use (91%). Lifetime use of speed was above 75% in all jurisdictions and over half the samples from all jurisdictions had recently used speed. Base was the most common form used in Adelaide, both lifetime use (72%) and recent use (63%). Lifetime use of base was reported by just over half or less of all other jurisdictions, while recent use was reported by less than half of the samples in all other jurisdictions.
As with these samples, there are variations across sites among police detainees. The highest use is found in East Perth followed by the two sites in Adelaide, then Brisbane and Southport (Mouzos et al., 2007). Darwin has the lowest percent testing positive to methamphetamine or reporting use in the past 30 days.
Top of Page
Table 2.3: Patterns of methamphetamine use by police detainees across jurisdictions
Source: DUMA collection 2006 (AIC)
Top of Page
