Our recommendations

This short report summarises the latest available evidence on illicit drug use by Australians aged 18-25 years, noting the patterns and subgroups who use illicit drugs in a way that puts them at increased risk of harm, specifically:

• high-risk subgroups (young adult males, trainees, and apprentices, LGBTIQ+ young adults)
• high-risk drug types (ecstasy, cocaine, and methamphetamine)
• high-risk drug behaviours (polydrug use, Party and Play/chemsex)
• high-risk venues (nightclubs, bars, and music festivals).

We recommend the development of targeted communications in programs, services, and campaigns to engage these specific high-risk groups using the harm reduction components highlighted above, with codesign central to ensuring the response is credible, relevant, and accepted.

Recognising the important work already happening in this space, we also recommend supporting community and peer-led organisations working with these young adults to build capacity, including program and service evaluation. In this way we can contribute to the evidence base to strengthen future harm reduction communication efforts.

View our full research report:

© Alcohol and Drug Foundation June 2021 Disclaimer: The Alcohol and Drug Foundation has used its best endeavours to ensure that material contained in this publication was correct at the time of printing. The Alcohol and Drug Foundation gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of information and reserves the right to make changes without notice at any time in its absolute discretion.

The ADF is supported by funding from the Victorian Department of Health. ADF would like to acknowledge the input from Dr Jacqueline Burgess and Dr Allison Salmon, as well as Liz Barrett and Professor Alison Ritter from the Drug Policy Modelling Program, University of NSW, in the development of the Report.