What we found
Illicit drug use
- Young adults, aged 18-24 years, are most likely to have used illicit drugs in the past 12 months, compared to any other age-group.
- The most commonly used illicit drugs, for those who had used drugs in the past 12 months, were cannabis (25%), cocaine (11%) and ecstasy (11%).
- There were significant increases in the use of cocaine (up by 6%), ecstasy (up by 3%), and ketamine (up by 3%) by young adults between 2016-19.
- Compared to other countries, a significantly higher proportion of Australian young adults use cocaine and ecstasy. Australian young adults also consume more ecstasy pills per session than their international peers.
- Polydrug use is common among those who use illicit drugs. EDRS data show 95% of respondents used more than one drug (including alcohol) when they last used a stimulant and 76% combined stimulants and depressants.
- The highest rates of drug-related hospitalisations across all age groups were in those aged 20-29 years.
- NSW, VIC, NT, and ACT had the highest proportions of recent drug use among 18–24-year-olds, with all four regions recording increases in drug use between 2016-19.
- Drug-induced deaths were least common in young adults compared to other age groups – despite 18–25-year-olds having the highest rates of recent drug use.
- Opioids were the leading cause of drug-related deaths in 15–24-year-olds.
- Since 2013, there has been a slight increase in the number of deaths of 15–24-year-olds from anti-epileptic drugs, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and anti-Parkinson drugs. These drugs are the second highest cause of drug-related deaths in this age-group.
High risk groups
Our research identified higher rates of illicit drug use and high risk drug-taking behaviours in a range of young adult groups, demonstrating a significant need for harm reduction messages that specifically engage with these groups.
| Young adult males | Higher drug use overall and across each drug type. Young men led the increase in recent drug use between 2016-19. They also had 50% more hospitalisations due to drug use than young women. |
|---|---|
| Young adult trainees/apprentices | High instances of risky drug use (particularly in male-dominated industries like carpentry and commercial cooking, and hospitality workers). |
| Young adults who use ecstasy and cocaine | Given the increased use between 2016-19 (especially by males), and the higher dose per session by young Australians. |
| Young adult LGBTIQ+ people | Higher use of ecstasy, cannabis, and amyl nitrite. Within this group, young adults who engage in Party and Play (sometimes known as chemsex) have been identified with high-risk drug types (methamphetamines, ketamine and GHB/GBL), drug behaviours and polydrug use. |
| Polydrug use | Significant polydrug use among young adults, particularly alcohol alongside illicit drugs, and the role of polydrug use in drug-related deaths and hospitalisations. |
Gaps in data This research identified a number of gaps in data regarding illicit drug use among young adults aged 18-25 years, including age-specific data on:
- polydrug use
- injecting drug use
- accidental drug-related deaths
- drug-related hospitalisations
- use of pharmaceutical opioids and barbiturates/benzodiazepines
- illicit drug use among young LGBTIQ+ populations
- evaluation/evidence of community/peer-led organisation harm reduction programs
We support further research to fill these identified data gaps with quality data, and strengthen the evidence on effective harm reduction messaging to young adults.