❓ This WA parliamentary question on notice examines drug usage trends in metropolitan and non-metropolitan schools between 1999 and 2002, revealing a significant reduction in cannabis, hallucinogen, inhalant and tranquilliser use among non-metropolitan students.
AnsweredQoN 2993Legislative Assembly
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(b) for the 10 drug classifications used, will the Minister provide a comparison of usage in non-metropolitan schools between the last two survey years of 1999 and 2002.
% Metro Non-metro Total Painkillers Lifetime 96.2 95.2 96.0 Last year 92.5 93.1 92.6 Last month 71.6 73.8 72.1 Last week 42.9 44.3 43.2 Tranquillisers Lifetime 18.0 16.8 17.7 Last year 11.4 8.8 10.9 Last month 4.5 4.8 4.5 Last week 2.8 3.7 3.0 Cannabis Lifetime 31.1 32.5 31.4 Last year 26.6 27.6 26.8 Last month 15.6 16.5 15.8 Last week 9.0 10.4 9.3 Steroids Lifetime 2.7 3.7 2.9 Last year 1.9 2.4 2.0 Last month 1.3 1.3 1.3 Last week 1.0 0.9 1.0 Inhalants Lifetime 18.6 17.3 18.3 Last year 12.9 12.7 12.9 Last month 7.2 7.7 7.3 Last week 4.5 5.1 4.6 Amphetamines Lifetime 13.2 11.7 12.9 Last year 10.5 9.5 10.3 Last month 5.7 5.0 5.6 Last week 3.2 3.2 3.2 Ecstasy Lifetime 4.9 6.1 5.2 Last year 3.9 5.2 4.2 Last month 2.3 1.9 2.2 Last week 1.0 1.1 1.1 Cocaine Lifetime 3.9 3.4 3.8 Last year 3.0 2.7 3.0 Last month 1.5 1.2 1.4 Last week 1.1 0.6 1.0 Hallucinogens Lifetime 5.5 6.2 5.7 Last year 4.3 4.6 4.3 Last month 1.8 2.1 1.8 Last week 1.2 1.3 1.2 Heroin Lifetime 2.9 3.2 3.0 Last year 1.9 2.3 2.0 Last month 1.0 0.8 1.0 Last week 0.8 0.6 0.8 As the data above indicates, there were no significant differences in the use of any of the ten drug classifications between metropolitan and non-metropolitan school students in 2002. b) Among non-metropolitan school students, there was a significant reduction between 1999 and 2002 in the use of cannabis in all time periods asked of students. There were also some significant reductions in the use of hallucinogens, inhalants and tranquillisers. Caution is taken when interpreting any statistical changes in drug use for drugs with a low prevalence rate. Only the more commonly used drugs such as pain killers, cannabis, inhalants and amphetamines can be tested with any confidence. % Metro Non-metro Total Painkillers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 96.3 96.2 97.1 95.2 96.4 96.0 Last year 93.0 92.5 94.1 93.1 93.2 92.6 Last month 72.7 71.6 75.0 73.8 73.2 72.1 Last week 44.8 42.9 45.8 44.3 45.0 43.2 Tranquillisers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 21.4 18.0* 19.6 16.8 21.0 17.7* Last year 13.3 11.4* 13.7 8.8* 13.4 10.9* Last month 6.0 4.5* 5.6 4.8 5.9 4.5* Last week 3.6 2.8 3.4 3.7 3.6 3.0 Cannabis 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 37.8 31.1* 40.9 32.5* 38.5 31.4* Last year 32.6 26.6* 36.5 27.6* 33.4 26.8* Last month 20.2 15.6* 22.3 16.5* 20.6 15.8* Last week 12.4 9.0* 14.8 10.4* 12.9 9.3* Steroids 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 3.6 2.7 4.4 3.7 3.8 2.9 Last year 2.5 1.9 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.0 Last month 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 Last week 1.1 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.0 Inhalants 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 20.1 18.6 22.5 17.3* 20.6 18.3* Last year 14.7 12.9 17.2 12.7* 15.2 12.9* Last month 7.8 7.2 10.1 7.7 8.3 7.3 Last week 5.3 4.5 5.4 5.1 5.3 4.6 Amphetamines 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 15.2 13.2* 12.0 11.7 14.5 12.9* Last year 12.7 10.5* 10.0 9.5 12.1 10.3* Last month 6.8 5.7 5.6 5.0 6.6 5.6 Last week 4.3 3.2* 3.5 3.2 4.1 3.2* Ecstasy 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 6.8 4.9* 6.5 6.1 6.7 5.2* Last year 5.6 3.9* 5.7 5.2 5.6 4.2* Last month 2.9 2.3 3.1 1.9 2.9 2.2* Last week 1.7 1.0* 1.5 1.1 1.7 1.1* Cocaine 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.3 3.9 4.5 3.4 4.3 3.8 Last year 3.3 3.0 4.2 2.7 3.5 3.0 Last month 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.2 1.8 1.4 Last week 1.3 1.1 1.2 0.6 1.3 1.0 Hallucinogens 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 10.5 5.5* 10.2 6.2* 10.4 5.7* Last year 8.2 4.3* 7.1 4.6* 7.9 4.3* Last month 3.5 1.8* 3.1 2.1 3.4 1.8* Last week 1.9 1.2* 1.7 1.3 1.9 1.2* Heroin 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.6 2.9* 4.0 3.2 4.5 3.0* Last year 3.5 1.9* 3.1 2.3 3.4 2.0* Last month 2.1 1.0* 1.7 0.8 2.0 1.0* Last week 1.5 0.8* 1.2 0.6 1.5 0.8* * indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
As the data above indicates, there were no significant differences in the use of any of the ten drug classifications between metropolitan and non-metropolitan school students in 2002. b) Among non-metropolitan school students, there was a significant reduction between 1999 and 2002 in the use of cannabis in all time periods asked of students. There were also some significant reductions in the use of hallucinogens, inhalants and tranquillisers. Caution is taken when interpreting any statistical changes in drug use for drugs with a low prevalence rate. Only the more commonly used drugs such as pain killers, cannabis, inhalants and amphetamines can be tested with any confidence. % Metro Non-metro Total Painkillers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 96.3 96.2 97.1 95.2 96.4 96.0 Last year 93.0 92.5 94.1 93.1 93.2 92.6 Last month 72.7 71.6 75.0 73.8 73.2 72.1 Last week 44.8 42.9 45.8 44.3 45.0 43.2 Tranquillisers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 21.4 18.0* 19.6 16.8 21.0 17.7* Last year 13.3 11.4* 13.7 8.8* 13.4 10.9* Last month 6.0 4.5* 5.6 4.8 5.9 4.5* Last week 3.6 2.8 3.4 3.7 3.6 3.0 Cannabis 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 37.8 31.1* 40.9 32.5* 38.5 31.4* Last year 32.6 26.6* 36.5 27.6* 33.4 26.8* Last month 20.2 15.6* 22.3 16.5* 20.6 15.8* Last week 12.4 9.0* 14.8 10.4* 12.9 9.3* Steroids 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 3.6 2.7 4.4 3.7 3.8 2.9 Last year 2.5 1.9 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.0 Last month 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 Last week 1.1 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.0 Inhalants 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 20.1 18.6 22.5 17.3* 20.6 18.3* Last year 14.7 12.9 17.2 12.7* 15.2 12.9* Last month 7.8 7.2 10.1 7.7 8.3 7.3 Last week 5.3 4.5 5.4 5.1 5.3 4.6 Amphetamines 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 15.2 13.2* 12.0 11.7 14.5 12.9* Last year 12.7 10.5* 10.0 9.5 12.1 10.3* Last month 6.8 5.7 5.6 5.0 6.6 5.6 Last week 4.3 3.2* 3.5 3.2 4.1 3.2* Ecstasy 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 6.8 4.9* 6.5 6.1 6.7 5.2* Last year 5.6 3.9* 5.7 5.2 5.6 4.2* Last month 2.9 2.3 3.1 1.9 2.9 2.2* Last week 1.7 1.0* 1.5 1.1 1.7 1.1* Cocaine 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.3 3.9 4.5 3.4 4.3 3.8 Last year 3.3 3.0 4.2 2.7 3.5 3.0 Last month 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.2 1.8 1.4 Last week 1.3 1.1 1.2 0.6 1.3 1.0 Hallucinogens 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 10.5 5.5* 10.2 6.2* 10.4 5.7* Last year 8.2 4.3* 7.1 4.6* 7.9 4.3* Last month 3.5 1.8* 3.1 2.1 3.4 1.8* Last week 1.9 1.2* 1.7 1.3 1.9 1.2* Heroin 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.6 2.9* 4.0 3.2 4.5 3.0* Last year 3.5 1.9* 3.1 2.3 3.4 2.0* Last month 2.1 1.0* 1.7 0.8 2.0 1.0* Last week 1.5 0.8* 1.2 0.6 1.5 0.8* * indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
b) Among non-metropolitan school students, there was a significant reduction between 1999 and 2002 in the use of cannabis in all time periods asked of students. There were also some significant reductions in the use of hallucinogens, inhalants and tranquillisers. Caution is taken when interpreting any statistical changes in drug use for drugs with a low prevalence rate. Only the more commonly used drugs such as pain killers, cannabis, inhalants and amphetamines can be tested with any confidence. % Metro Non-metro Total Painkillers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 96.3 96.2 97.1 95.2 96.4 96.0 Last year 93.0 92.5 94.1 93.1 93.2 92.6 Last month 72.7 71.6 75.0 73.8 73.2 72.1 Last week 44.8 42.9 45.8 44.3 45.0 43.2 Tranquillisers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 21.4 18.0* 19.6 16.8 21.0 17.7* Last year 13.3 11.4* 13.7 8.8* 13.4 10.9* Last month 6.0 4.5* 5.6 4.8 5.9 4.5* Last week 3.6 2.8 3.4 3.7 3.6 3.0 Cannabis 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 37.8 31.1* 40.9 32.5* 38.5 31.4* Last year 32.6 26.6* 36.5 27.6* 33.4 26.8* Last month 20.2 15.6* 22.3 16.5* 20.6 15.8* Last week 12.4 9.0* 14.8 10.4* 12.9 9.3* Steroids 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 3.6 2.7 4.4 3.7 3.8 2.9 Last year 2.5 1.9 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.0 Last month 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 Last week 1.1 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.0 Inhalants 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 20.1 18.6 22.5 17.3* 20.6 18.3* Last year 14.7 12.9 17.2 12.7* 15.2 12.9* Last month 7.8 7.2 10.1 7.7 8.3 7.3 Last week 5.3 4.5 5.4 5.1 5.3 4.6 Amphetamines 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 15.2 13.2* 12.0 11.7 14.5 12.9* Last year 12.7 10.5* 10.0 9.5 12.1 10.3* Last month 6.8 5.7 5.6 5.0 6.6 5.6 Last week 4.3 3.2* 3.5 3.2 4.1 3.2* Ecstasy 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 6.8 4.9* 6.5 6.1 6.7 5.2* Last year 5.6 3.9* 5.7 5.2 5.6 4.2* Last month 2.9 2.3 3.1 1.9 2.9 2.2* Last week 1.7 1.0* 1.5 1.1 1.7 1.1* Cocaine 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.3 3.9 4.5 3.4 4.3 3.8 Last year 3.3 3.0 4.2 2.7 3.5 3.0 Last month 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.2 1.8 1.4 Last week 1.3 1.1 1.2 0.6 1.3 1.0 Hallucinogens 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 10.5 5.5* 10.2 6.2* 10.4 5.7* Last year 8.2 4.3* 7.1 4.6* 7.9 4.3* Last month 3.5 1.8* 3.1 2.1 3.4 1.8* Last week 1.9 1.2* 1.7 1.3 1.9 1.2* Heroin 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.6 2.9* 4.0 3.2 4.5 3.0* Last year 3.5 1.9* 3.1 2.3 3.4 2.0* Last month 2.1 1.0* 1.7 0.8 2.0 1.0* Last week 1.5 0.8* 1.2 0.6 1.5 0.8* * indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
% Metro Non-metro Total Painkillers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 96.3 96.2 97.1 95.2 96.4 96.0 Last year 93.0 92.5 94.1 93.1 93.2 92.6 Last month 72.7 71.6 75.0 73.8 73.2 72.1 Last week 44.8 42.9 45.8 44.3 45.0 43.2 Tranquillisers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 21.4 18.0* 19.6 16.8 21.0 17.7* Last year 13.3 11.4* 13.7 8.8* 13.4 10.9* Last month 6.0 4.5* 5.6 4.8 5.9 4.5* Last week 3.6 2.8 3.4 3.7 3.6 3.0 Cannabis 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 37.8 31.1* 40.9 32.5* 38.5 31.4* Last year 32.6 26.6* 36.5 27.6* 33.4 26.8* Last month 20.2 15.6* 22.3 16.5* 20.6 15.8* Last week 12.4 9.0* 14.8 10.4* 12.9 9.3* Steroids 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 3.6 2.7 4.4 3.7 3.8 2.9 Last year 2.5 1.9 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.0 Last month 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 Last week 1.1 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.0 Inhalants 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 20.1 18.6 22.5 17.3* 20.6 18.3* Last year 14.7 12.9 17.2 12.7* 15.2 12.9* Last month 7.8 7.2 10.1 7.7 8.3 7.3 Last week 5.3 4.5 5.4 5.1 5.3 4.6 Amphetamines 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 15.2 13.2* 12.0 11.7 14.5 12.9* Last year 12.7 10.5* 10.0 9.5 12.1 10.3* Last month 6.8 5.7 5.6 5.0 6.6 5.6 Last week 4.3 3.2* 3.5 3.2 4.1 3.2* Ecstasy 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 6.8 4.9* 6.5 6.1 6.7 5.2* Last year 5.6 3.9* 5.7 5.2 5.6 4.2* Last month 2.9 2.3 3.1 1.9 2.9 2.2* Last week 1.7 1.0* 1.5 1.1 1.7 1.1* Cocaine 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.3 3.9 4.5 3.4 4.3 3.8 Last year 3.3 3.0 4.2 2.7 3.5 3.0 Last month 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.2 1.8 1.4 Last week 1.3 1.1 1.2 0.6 1.3 1.0 Hallucinogens 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 10.5 5.5* 10.2 6.2* 10.4 5.7* Last year 8.2 4.3* 7.1 4.6* 7.9 4.3* Last month 3.5 1.8* 3.1 2.1 3.4 1.8* Last week 1.9 1.2* 1.7 1.3 1.9 1.2* Heroin 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.6 2.9* 4.0 3.2 4.5 3.0* Last year 3.5 1.9* 3.1 2.3 3.4 2.0* Last month 2.1 1.0* 1.7 0.8 2.0 1.0* Last week 1.5 0.8* 1.2 0.6 1.5 0.8* * indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
* indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
% Metro Non-metro Total Painkillers Lifetime 96.2 95.2 96.0 Last year 92.5 93.1 92.6 Last month 71.6 73.8 72.1 Last week 42.9 44.3 43.2 Tranquillisers Lifetime 18.0 16.8 17.7 Last year 11.4 8.8 10.9 Last month 4.5 4.8 4.5 Last week 2.8 3.7 3.0 Cannabis Lifetime 31.1 32.5 31.4 Last year 26.6 27.6 26.8 Last month 15.6 16.5 15.8 Last week 9.0 10.4 9.3 Steroids Lifetime 2.7 3.7 2.9 Last year 1.9 2.4 2.0 Last month 1.3 1.3 1.3 Last week 1.0 0.9 1.0 Inhalants Lifetime 18.6 17.3 18.3 Last year 12.9 12.7 12.9 Last month 7.2 7.7 7.3 Last week 4.5 5.1 4.6 Amphetamines Lifetime 13.2 11.7 12.9 Last year 10.5 9.5 10.3 Last month 5.7 5.0 5.6 Last week 3.2 3.2 3.2 Ecstasy Lifetime 4.9 6.1 5.2 Last year 3.9 5.2 4.2 Last month 2.3 1.9 2.2 Last week 1.0 1.1 1.1 Cocaine Lifetime 3.9 3.4 3.8 Last year 3.0 2.7 3.0 Last month 1.5 1.2 1.4 Last week 1.1 0.6 1.0 Hallucinogens Lifetime 5.5 6.2 5.7 Last year 4.3 4.6 4.3 Last month 1.8 2.1 1.8 Last week 1.2 1.3 1.2 Heroin Lifetime 2.9 3.2 3.0 Last year 1.9 2.3 2.0 Last month 1.0 0.8 1.0 Last week 0.8 0.6 0.8 As the data above indicates, there were no significant differences in the use of any of the ten drug classifications between metropolitan and non-metropolitan school students in 2002. b) Among non-metropolitan school students, there was a significant reduction between 1999 and 2002 in the use of cannabis in all time periods asked of students. There were also some significant reductions in the use of hallucinogens, inhalants and tranquillisers. Caution is taken when interpreting any statistical changes in drug use for drugs with a low prevalence rate. Only the more commonly used drugs such as pain killers, cannabis, inhalants and amphetamines can be tested with any confidence. % Metro Non-metro Total Painkillers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 96.3 96.2 97.1 95.2 96.4 96.0 Last year 93.0 92.5 94.1 93.1 93.2 92.6 Last month 72.7 71.6 75.0 73.8 73.2 72.1 Last week 44.8 42.9 45.8 44.3 45.0 43.2 Tranquillisers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 21.4 18.0* 19.6 16.8 21.0 17.7* Last year 13.3 11.4* 13.7 8.8* 13.4 10.9* Last month 6.0 4.5* 5.6 4.8 5.9 4.5* Last week 3.6 2.8 3.4 3.7 3.6 3.0 Cannabis 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 37.8 31.1* 40.9 32.5* 38.5 31.4* Last year 32.6 26.6* 36.5 27.6* 33.4 26.8* Last month 20.2 15.6* 22.3 16.5* 20.6 15.8* Last week 12.4 9.0* 14.8 10.4* 12.9 9.3* Steroids 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 3.6 2.7 4.4 3.7 3.8 2.9 Last year 2.5 1.9 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.0 Last month 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 Last week 1.1 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.0 Inhalants 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 20.1 18.6 22.5 17.3* 20.6 18.3* Last year 14.7 12.9 17.2 12.7* 15.2 12.9* Last month 7.8 7.2 10.1 7.7 8.3 7.3 Last week 5.3 4.5 5.4 5.1 5.3 4.6 Amphetamines 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 15.2 13.2* 12.0 11.7 14.5 12.9* Last year 12.7 10.5* 10.0 9.5 12.1 10.3* Last month 6.8 5.7 5.6 5.0 6.6 5.6 Last week 4.3 3.2* 3.5 3.2 4.1 3.2* Ecstasy 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 6.8 4.9* 6.5 6.1 6.7 5.2* Last year 5.6 3.9* 5.7 5.2 5.6 4.2* Last month 2.9 2.3 3.1 1.9 2.9 2.2* Last week 1.7 1.0* 1.5 1.1 1.7 1.1* Cocaine 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.3 3.9 4.5 3.4 4.3 3.8 Last year 3.3 3.0 4.2 2.7 3.5 3.0 Last month 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.2 1.8 1.4 Last week 1.3 1.1 1.2 0.6 1.3 1.0 Hallucinogens 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 10.5 5.5* 10.2 6.2* 10.4 5.7* Last year 8.2 4.3* 7.1 4.6* 7.9 4.3* Last month 3.5 1.8* 3.1 2.1 3.4 1.8* Last week 1.9 1.2* 1.7 1.3 1.9 1.2* Heroin 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.6 2.9* 4.0 3.2 4.5 3.0* Last year 3.5 1.9* 3.1 2.3 3.4 2.0* Last month 2.1 1.0* 1.7 0.8 2.0 1.0* Last week 1.5 0.8* 1.2 0.6 1.5 0.8* * indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
As the data above indicates, there were no significant differences in the use of any of the ten drug classifications between metropolitan and non-metropolitan school students in 2002. b) Among non-metropolitan school students, there was a significant reduction between 1999 and 2002 in the use of cannabis in all time periods asked of students. There were also some significant reductions in the use of hallucinogens, inhalants and tranquillisers. Caution is taken when interpreting any statistical changes in drug use for drugs with a low prevalence rate. Only the more commonly used drugs such as pain killers, cannabis, inhalants and amphetamines can be tested with any confidence. % Metro Non-metro Total Painkillers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 96.3 96.2 97.1 95.2 96.4 96.0 Last year 93.0 92.5 94.1 93.1 93.2 92.6 Last month 72.7 71.6 75.0 73.8 73.2 72.1 Last week 44.8 42.9 45.8 44.3 45.0 43.2 Tranquillisers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 21.4 18.0* 19.6 16.8 21.0 17.7* Last year 13.3 11.4* 13.7 8.8* 13.4 10.9* Last month 6.0 4.5* 5.6 4.8 5.9 4.5* Last week 3.6 2.8 3.4 3.7 3.6 3.0 Cannabis 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 37.8 31.1* 40.9 32.5* 38.5 31.4* Last year 32.6 26.6* 36.5 27.6* 33.4 26.8* Last month 20.2 15.6* 22.3 16.5* 20.6 15.8* Last week 12.4 9.0* 14.8 10.4* 12.9 9.3* Steroids 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 3.6 2.7 4.4 3.7 3.8 2.9 Last year 2.5 1.9 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.0 Last month 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 Last week 1.1 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.0 Inhalants 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 20.1 18.6 22.5 17.3* 20.6 18.3* Last year 14.7 12.9 17.2 12.7* 15.2 12.9* Last month 7.8 7.2 10.1 7.7 8.3 7.3 Last week 5.3 4.5 5.4 5.1 5.3 4.6 Amphetamines 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 15.2 13.2* 12.0 11.7 14.5 12.9* Last year 12.7 10.5* 10.0 9.5 12.1 10.3* Last month 6.8 5.7 5.6 5.0 6.6 5.6 Last week 4.3 3.2* 3.5 3.2 4.1 3.2* Ecstasy 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 6.8 4.9* 6.5 6.1 6.7 5.2* Last year 5.6 3.9* 5.7 5.2 5.6 4.2* Last month 2.9 2.3 3.1 1.9 2.9 2.2* Last week 1.7 1.0* 1.5 1.1 1.7 1.1* Cocaine 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.3 3.9 4.5 3.4 4.3 3.8 Last year 3.3 3.0 4.2 2.7 3.5 3.0 Last month 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.2 1.8 1.4 Last week 1.3 1.1 1.2 0.6 1.3 1.0 Hallucinogens 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 10.5 5.5* 10.2 6.2* 10.4 5.7* Last year 8.2 4.3* 7.1 4.6* 7.9 4.3* Last month 3.5 1.8* 3.1 2.1 3.4 1.8* Last week 1.9 1.2* 1.7 1.3 1.9 1.2* Heroin 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.6 2.9* 4.0 3.2 4.5 3.0* Last year 3.5 1.9* 3.1 2.3 3.4 2.0* Last month 2.1 1.0* 1.7 0.8 2.0 1.0* Last week 1.5 0.8* 1.2 0.6 1.5 0.8* * indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
b) Among non-metropolitan school students, there was a significant reduction between 1999 and 2002 in the use of cannabis in all time periods asked of students. There were also some significant reductions in the use of hallucinogens, inhalants and tranquillisers. Caution is taken when interpreting any statistical changes in drug use for drugs with a low prevalence rate. Only the more commonly used drugs such as pain killers, cannabis, inhalants and amphetamines can be tested with any confidence. % Metro Non-metro Total Painkillers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 96.3 96.2 97.1 95.2 96.4 96.0 Last year 93.0 92.5 94.1 93.1 93.2 92.6 Last month 72.7 71.6 75.0 73.8 73.2 72.1 Last week 44.8 42.9 45.8 44.3 45.0 43.2 Tranquillisers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 21.4 18.0* 19.6 16.8 21.0 17.7* Last year 13.3 11.4* 13.7 8.8* 13.4 10.9* Last month 6.0 4.5* 5.6 4.8 5.9 4.5* Last week 3.6 2.8 3.4 3.7 3.6 3.0 Cannabis 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 37.8 31.1* 40.9 32.5* 38.5 31.4* Last year 32.6 26.6* 36.5 27.6* 33.4 26.8* Last month 20.2 15.6* 22.3 16.5* 20.6 15.8* Last week 12.4 9.0* 14.8 10.4* 12.9 9.3* Steroids 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 3.6 2.7 4.4 3.7 3.8 2.9 Last year 2.5 1.9 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.0 Last month 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 Last week 1.1 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.0 Inhalants 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 20.1 18.6 22.5 17.3* 20.6 18.3* Last year 14.7 12.9 17.2 12.7* 15.2 12.9* Last month 7.8 7.2 10.1 7.7 8.3 7.3 Last week 5.3 4.5 5.4 5.1 5.3 4.6 Amphetamines 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 15.2 13.2* 12.0 11.7 14.5 12.9* Last year 12.7 10.5* 10.0 9.5 12.1 10.3* Last month 6.8 5.7 5.6 5.0 6.6 5.6 Last week 4.3 3.2* 3.5 3.2 4.1 3.2* Ecstasy 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 6.8 4.9* 6.5 6.1 6.7 5.2* Last year 5.6 3.9* 5.7 5.2 5.6 4.2* Last month 2.9 2.3 3.1 1.9 2.9 2.2* Last week 1.7 1.0* 1.5 1.1 1.7 1.1* Cocaine 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.3 3.9 4.5 3.4 4.3 3.8 Last year 3.3 3.0 4.2 2.7 3.5 3.0 Last month 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.2 1.8 1.4 Last week 1.3 1.1 1.2 0.6 1.3 1.0 Hallucinogens 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 10.5 5.5* 10.2 6.2* 10.4 5.7* Last year 8.2 4.3* 7.1 4.6* 7.9 4.3* Last month 3.5 1.8* 3.1 2.1 3.4 1.8* Last week 1.9 1.2* 1.7 1.3 1.9 1.2* Heroin 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.6 2.9* 4.0 3.2 4.5 3.0* Last year 3.5 1.9* 3.1 2.3 3.4 2.0* Last month 2.1 1.0* 1.7 0.8 2.0 1.0* Last week 1.5 0.8* 1.2 0.6 1.5 0.8* * indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
% Metro Non-metro Total Painkillers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 96.3 96.2 97.1 95.2 96.4 96.0 Last year 93.0 92.5 94.1 93.1 93.2 92.6 Last month 72.7 71.6 75.0 73.8 73.2 72.1 Last week 44.8 42.9 45.8 44.3 45.0 43.2 Tranquillisers 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 21.4 18.0* 19.6 16.8 21.0 17.7* Last year 13.3 11.4* 13.7 8.8* 13.4 10.9* Last month 6.0 4.5* 5.6 4.8 5.9 4.5* Last week 3.6 2.8 3.4 3.7 3.6 3.0 Cannabis 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 37.8 31.1* 40.9 32.5* 38.5 31.4* Last year 32.6 26.6* 36.5 27.6* 33.4 26.8* Last month 20.2 15.6* 22.3 16.5* 20.6 15.8* Last week 12.4 9.0* 14.8 10.4* 12.9 9.3* Steroids 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 3.6 2.7 4.4 3.7 3.8 2.9 Last year 2.5 1.9 2.9 2.4 2.5 2.0 Last month 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 1.6 1.3 Last week 1.1 1.0 1.3 0.9 1.2 1.0 Inhalants 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 20.1 18.6 22.5 17.3* 20.6 18.3* Last year 14.7 12.9 17.2 12.7* 15.2 12.9* Last month 7.8 7.2 10.1 7.7 8.3 7.3 Last week 5.3 4.5 5.4 5.1 5.3 4.6 Amphetamines 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 15.2 13.2* 12.0 11.7 14.5 12.9* Last year 12.7 10.5* 10.0 9.5 12.1 10.3* Last month 6.8 5.7 5.6 5.0 6.6 5.6 Last week 4.3 3.2* 3.5 3.2 4.1 3.2* Ecstasy 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 6.8 4.9* 6.5 6.1 6.7 5.2* Last year 5.6 3.9* 5.7 5.2 5.6 4.2* Last month 2.9 2.3 3.1 1.9 2.9 2.2* Last week 1.7 1.0* 1.5 1.1 1.7 1.1* Cocaine 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.3 3.9 4.5 3.4 4.3 3.8 Last year 3.3 3.0 4.2 2.7 3.5 3.0 Last month 1.8 1.5 1.8 1.2 1.8 1.4 Last week 1.3 1.1 1.2 0.6 1.3 1.0 Hallucinogens 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 10.5 5.5* 10.2 6.2* 10.4 5.7* Last year 8.2 4.3* 7.1 4.6* 7.9 4.3* Last month 3.5 1.8* 3.1 2.1 3.4 1.8* Last week 1.9 1.2* 1.7 1.3 1.9 1.2* Heroin 1999 2002 1999 2002 1999 2002 Lifetime 4.6 2.9* 4.0 3.2 4.5 3.0* Last year 3.5 1.9* 3.1 2.3 3.4 2.0* Last month 2.1 1.0* 1.7 0.8 2.0 1.0* Last week 1.5 0.8* 1.2 0.6 1.5 0.8* * indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
* indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 August 2004
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
56 days
2002
%
Metro
Non-metro
Total
Painkillers
Lifetime
96.2
95.2
96.0
Last year
92.5
93.1
92.6
Last month
71.6
73.8
72.1
Last week
42.9
44.3
43.2
Tranquillisers
Lifetime
18.0
16.8
17.7
Last year
11.4
8.8
10.9
Last month
4.5
4.8
4.5
Last week
2.8
3.7
3.0
Cannabis
Lifetime
31.1
32.5
31.4
Last year
26.6
27.6
26.8
Last month
15.6
16.5
15.8
Last week
9.0
10.4
9.3
Steroids
Lifetime
2.7
3.7
2.9
Last year
1.9
2.4
2.0
Last month
1.3
1.3
1.3
Last week
1.0
0.9
1.0
Inhalants
Lifetime
18.6
17.3
18.3
Last year
12.9
12.7
12.9
Last month
7.2
7.7
7.3
Last week
4.5
5.1
4.6
Amphetamines
Lifetime
13.2
11.7
12.9
Last year
10.5
9.5
10.3
Last month
5.7
5.0
5.6
Last week
3.2
3.2
3.2
Ecstasy
Lifetime
4.9
6.1
5.2
Last year
3.9
5.2
4.2
Last month
2.3
1.9
2.2
Last week
1.0
1.1
1.1
Cocaine
Lifetime
3.9
3.4
3.8
Last year
3.0
2.7
3.0
Last month
1.5
1.2
1.4
Last week
1.1
0.6
1.0
Hallucinogens
Lifetime
5.5
6.2
5.7
Last year
4.3
4.6
4.3
Last month
1.8
2.1
1.8
Last week
1.2
1.3
1.2
Heroin
Lifetime
2.9
3.2
3.0
Last year
1.9
2.3
2.0
Last month
1.0
0.8
1.0
Last week
0.8
0.6
0.8
As the data above indicates, there were no significant differences in the use of any of the ten drug classifications between metropolitan and non-metropolitan school students in 2002.
b) Among non-metropolitan school students, there was a significant reduction between 1999 and 2002 in the use of cannabis in all time periods asked of students. There were also some significant reductions in the use of hallucinogens, inhalants and tranquillisers. Caution is taken when interpreting any statistical changes in drug use for drugs with a low prevalence rate. Only the more commonly used drugs such as pain killers, cannabis, inhalants and amphetamines can be tested with any confidence.
%
Metro
Non-metro
Total
Painkillers
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
96.3
96.2
97.1
95.2
96.4
96.0
Last year
93.0
92.5
94.1
93.1
93.2
92.6
Last month
72.7
71.6
75.0
73.8
73.2
72.1
Last week
44.8
42.9
45.8
44.3
45.0
43.2
Tranquillisers
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
21.4
18.0*
19.6
16.8
21.0
17.7*
Last year
13.3
11.4*
13.7
8.8*
13.4
10.9*
Last month
6.0
4.5*
5.6
4.8
5.9
4.5*
Last week
3.6
2.8
3.4
3.7
3.6
3.0
Cannabis
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
37.8
31.1*
40.9
32.5*
38.5
31.4*
Last year
32.6
26.6*
36.5
27.6*
33.4
26.8*
Last month
20.2
15.6*
22.3
16.5*
20.6
15.8*
Last week
12.4
9.0*
14.8
10.4*
12.9
9.3*
Steroids
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
3.6
2.7
4.4
3.7
3.8
2.9
Last year
2.5
1.9
2.9
2.4
2.5
2.0
Last month
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
Last week
1.1
1.0
1.3
0.9
1.2
1.0
Inhalants
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
20.1
18.6
22.5
17.3*
20.6
18.3*
Last year
14.7
12.9
17.2
12.7*
15.2
12.9*
Last month
7.8
7.2
10.1
7.7
8.3
7.3
Last week
5.3
4.5
5.4
5.1
5.3
4.6
Amphetamines
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
15.2
13.2*
12.0
11.7
14.5
12.9*
Last year
12.7
10.5*
10.0
9.5
12.1
10.3*
Last month
6.8
5.7
5.6
5.0
6.6
5.6
Last week
4.3
3.2*
3.5
3.2
4.1
3.2*
Ecstasy
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
6.8
4.9*
6.5
6.1
6.7
5.2*
Last year
5.6
3.9*
5.7
5.2
5.6
4.2*
Last month
2.9
2.3
3.1
1.9
2.9
2.2*
Last week
1.7
1.0*
1.5
1.1
1.7
1.1*
Cocaine
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
4.3
3.9
4.5
3.4
4.3
3.8
Last year
3.3
3.0
4.2
2.7
3.5
3.0
Last month
1.8
1.5
1.8
1.2
1.8
1.4
Last week
1.3
1.1
1.2
0.6
1.3
1.0
Hallucinogens
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
10.5
5.5*
10.2
6.2*
10.4
5.7*
Last year
8.2
4.3*
7.1
4.6*
7.9
4.3*
Last month
3.5
1.8*
3.1
2.1
3.4
1.8*
Last week
1.9
1.2*
1.7
1.3
1.9
1.2*
Heroin
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
4.6
2.9*
4.0
3.2
4.5
3.0*
Last year
3.5
1.9*
3.1
2.3
3.4
2.0*
Last month
2.1
1.0*
1.7
0.8
2.0
1.0*
Last week
1.5
0.8*
1.2
0.6
1.5
0.8*
* indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
%
Metro
Non-metro
Total
Painkillers
Lifetime
96.2
95.2
96.0
Last year
92.5
93.1
92.6
Last month
71.6
73.8
72.1
Last week
42.9
44.3
43.2
Tranquillisers
Lifetime
18.0
16.8
17.7
Last year
11.4
8.8
10.9
Last month
4.5
4.8
4.5
Last week
2.8
3.7
3.0
Cannabis
Lifetime
31.1
32.5
31.4
Last year
26.6
27.6
26.8
Last month
15.6
16.5
15.8
Last week
9.0
10.4
9.3
Steroids
Lifetime
2.7
3.7
2.9
Last year
1.9
2.4
2.0
Last month
1.3
1.3
1.3
Last week
1.0
0.9
1.0
Inhalants
Lifetime
18.6
17.3
18.3
Last year
12.9
12.7
12.9
Last month
7.2
7.7
7.3
Last week
4.5
5.1
4.6
Amphetamines
Lifetime
13.2
11.7
12.9
Last year
10.5
9.5
10.3
Last month
5.7
5.0
5.6
Last week
3.2
3.2
3.2
Ecstasy
Lifetime
4.9
6.1
5.2
Last year
3.9
5.2
4.2
Last month
2.3
1.9
2.2
Last week
1.0
1.1
1.1
Cocaine
Lifetime
3.9
3.4
3.8
Last year
3.0
2.7
3.0
Last month
1.5
1.2
1.4
Last week
1.1
0.6
1.0
Hallucinogens
Lifetime
5.5
6.2
5.7
Last year
4.3
4.6
4.3
Last month
1.8
2.1
1.8
Last week
1.2
1.3
1.2
Heroin
Lifetime
2.9
3.2
3.0
Last year
1.9
2.3
2.0
Last month
1.0
0.8
1.0
Last week
0.8
0.6
0.8
As the data above indicates, there were no significant differences in the use of any of the ten drug classifications between metropolitan and non-metropolitan school students in 2002.
b) Among non-metropolitan school students, there was a significant reduction between 1999 and 2002 in the use of cannabis in all time periods asked of students. There were also some significant reductions in the use of hallucinogens, inhalants and tranquillisers. Caution is taken when interpreting any statistical changes in drug use for drugs with a low prevalence rate. Only the more commonly used drugs such as pain killers, cannabis, inhalants and amphetamines can be tested with any confidence.
%
Metro
Non-metro
Total
Painkillers
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
96.3
96.2
97.1
95.2
96.4
96.0
Last year
93.0
92.5
94.1
93.1
93.2
92.6
Last month
72.7
71.6
75.0
73.8
73.2
72.1
Last week
44.8
42.9
45.8
44.3
45.0
43.2
Tranquillisers
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
21.4
18.0*
19.6
16.8
21.0
17.7*
Last year
13.3
11.4*
13.7
8.8*
13.4
10.9*
Last month
6.0
4.5*
5.6
4.8
5.9
4.5*
Last week
3.6
2.8
3.4
3.7
3.6
3.0
Cannabis
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
37.8
31.1*
40.9
32.5*
38.5
31.4*
Last year
32.6
26.6*
36.5
27.6*
33.4
26.8*
Last month
20.2
15.6*
22.3
16.5*
20.6
15.8*
Last week
12.4
9.0*
14.8
10.4*
12.9
9.3*
Steroids
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
3.6
2.7
4.4
3.7
3.8
2.9
Last year
2.5
1.9
2.9
2.4
2.5
2.0
Last month
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
1.6
1.3
Last week
1.1
1.0
1.3
0.9
1.2
1.0
Inhalants
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
20.1
18.6
22.5
17.3*
20.6
18.3*
Last year
14.7
12.9
17.2
12.7*
15.2
12.9*
Last month
7.8
7.2
10.1
7.7
8.3
7.3
Last week
5.3
4.5
5.4
5.1
5.3
4.6
Amphetamines
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
15.2
13.2*
12.0
11.7
14.5
12.9*
Last year
12.7
10.5*
10.0
9.5
12.1
10.3*
Last month
6.8
5.7
5.6
5.0
6.6
5.6
Last week
4.3
3.2*
3.5
3.2
4.1
3.2*
Ecstasy
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
6.8
4.9*
6.5
6.1
6.7
5.2*
Last year
5.6
3.9*
5.7
5.2
5.6
4.2*
Last month
2.9
2.3
3.1
1.9
2.9
2.2*
Last week
1.7
1.0*
1.5
1.1
1.7
1.1*
Cocaine
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
4.3
3.9
4.5
3.4
4.3
3.8
Last year
3.3
3.0
4.2
2.7
3.5
3.0
Last month
1.8
1.5
1.8
1.2
1.8
1.4
Last week
1.3
1.1
1.2
0.6
1.3
1.0
Hallucinogens
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
10.5
5.5*
10.2
6.2*
10.4
5.7*
Last year
8.2
4.3*
7.1
4.6*
7.9
4.3*
Last month
3.5
1.8*
3.1
2.1
3.4
1.8*
Last week
1.9
1.2*
1.7
1.3
1.9
1.2*
Heroin
1999
2002
1999
2002
1999
2002
Lifetime
4.6
2.9*
4.0
3.2
4.5
3.0*
Last year
3.5
1.9*
3.1
2.3
3.4
2.0*
Last month
2.1
1.0*
1.7
0.8
2.0
1.0*
Last week
1.5
0.8*
1.2
0.6
1.5
0.8*
* indicates a significant difference exists (p<0.05) between 1999 and 2002. Tests have been performed separately on metro, non-metro and total.
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