29/2/2024 New report shows concerning alcohol and other drugs trends
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation says a new report released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), reaffirms the unacceptable level of alcohol-related harms across the nation.
The latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey found:
- In 2022-2023, 1 in 5 Australians (approximately 4.6 million) over the age of 14, were verbally abused, physically abused, or put in fear by someone under the influence of alcohol in the past 12 months
- The number Australian women who experienced harms from someone under the influence of alcohol increased from 2.2 million in 2019 to 2.4 million in 2022/23.
- Young Australians aged 18–24 were the most likely to have experienced any harm from someone under the influence of alcohol in past year (33%), followed by 25–29-year-olds (30%).
“We cannot accept the high levels of harm that alcohol causes to individuals, families and our communities,” said the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s CEO, Dr Erin Lalor AM.
“This report reiterates the urgent need for stronger commitments and investments in initiatives that reduce alcohol-related harms and prevents them from happening in the first place.”
The report found that 31% of Australians are drinking at risky levels, with around one in four reporting they’d had more than 10 standard drinks per week on average in 2022/23. Around the same number said they’d had more than four standard drinks in a single day at least once a month.
“This data concerningly shows that many Australians are regularly exceeding the national alcohol guidelines, which increases their risk of harms such as injuries, illnesses, and diseases like cancer,” Dr Lalor said.
“We need greater investment in education around risky drinking, including clear information about the harm it can cause.”
Additionally, the report reveals worrying new trends around alcohol and other drug use by young Australian women, including:
- The number of females who recently used cannabis and were identified as being at high risk of harm, more than doubled between 2019-2022/23 (from around 1.8% to 4.8%). High risk use among males who had recently used cannabis remained stable (3.7% in 2022–2023).
- Overall, there has been an increase in recent illicit drug use among Australian women aged 18-24. In 2022–2023, 35% of both males and females in that age group reported recent use of illicit drugs. For women, use increased from around 27% in 2019 and the number remained stable for men).
- The AIHW also says the gap is narrowing between the number of young men and women aged 18-24 drinking at risky levels. In 2019, 47% of males in that age group consumed alcohol at risky levels, compared to 35% of females. Whereas in 2022/23, 45% of males aged 18-24 consumed alcohol at risky levels compared to 40% of females.
- Recent consumption of alcohol increased among high school aged females (14–17 years old) from 28% in 2019 to 35% in 2022–2023.
“These are worrying increases that warrant further research, so that we can better understand what is influencing these trends and how we can reduce or prevent the risk of harm,” Dr Lalor said.
To conclude, Dr Lalor highlighted the positive data around strong, growing national support for health-based approaches to drug use.
In 2022/23, 64% of Australians supported drug checking at designated sites (up from 57% in 2019) and more than half of Australians supported medically supervised injecting facilities. A high number of Australians also supported referrals to a treatment or education program for those found with illicit drugs for personal use, instead of a criminal response.
“Health-based approaches to drug use benefit the whole of community by helping to reduce drug-related deaths and disease, reduce stigma and problematic drug use, and see more people reaching out for help and support,” Dr Lalor concluded.
For support or advice, visit adf.org.au or call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.
If you are worried about your own, or a loved one’s alcohol or other drug use, people can also visit Path2Help. This tool will connect you with local services in your area that can help you have that initial conversation.
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For media enquiries please call the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s media team on 0430 948 380 or email media@adf.org.au.