Research and Statistics

July 2020

The 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey report found that fewer Australians are smoking tobacco daily, while the use of e-cigarettes is increasing. Recent use of a number of illicit drugs had risen, particularly cocaine, with cannabis and ecstasy (MDMA) also increasing in popularity. It also found that more Australians are giving up or reducing their alcohol intake, driven by health concerns.

DARTA will produce a downloadable presentation on these results in both PPT and PDF formats as soon as possible.

June 2020

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) released their report into the use of alcohol and other drug use. Most data contained in the document is not new and has already been reported (e.g., 2016 NDSHS and 2017 ASSAD survey), however the consolidation of the most up-to-date information available is useful. A snapshot of results presented in a series of infographics is particularly interesting for those who just want a short summary of the findings and a series of fact sheets on different substances are also worth a look. It should be noted that this release “includes discussion and data from the COVID-19 time period”.

May 2020

This fascinating report by FARE provides “a snapshot of how the alcohol industry is using a global pandemic as a marketing opportunity”. The study found that in one hour on a Friday night, 107 sponsored alcohol ads were displayed on a personal Facebook and Instagram account, i.e. one alcohol ad every 35 seconds. Most concerning was that the marketing messages being used promoted known risk factors for harmful drinking, including drinking to cope, and drinking alone in the home.

April 2020

The results of a poll commissioned by FARE that 20% of Australians purchased more alcohol and 70% of them were drinking more alcohol than normal, with one third (33 per cent) using alcohol daily during the COVID-19 restrictions in early April. The key findings can be found in a simple-to-read one page release. It is important to note that there have been other studies conducted that had similar results but also reported that some Australians were actually drinking less.

November 2019

Australian longitudinal research looking at almost 2000 adolescents found parental supply of alcohol was associated with increased alcohol consumption by their children during the early teens. While parental supply appeared to have less impact in later adolescence, the researchers stressed that there was no evidence to suggest that it was protective. They concluded that parents be advised “that any supply of alcohol to adolescents, especially those aged 16 or younger, should be avoided as there is no benefit and is instead likely to increase how often adolescents drink.”