The prevalence and characteristics of injecting drug users in Australia

The prevalence of injecting drug use has increased significantly in Australia in recent years. Using the nationally representative 1998 National Drug Strategy Household Survey we estimate the size of the lifetime prevalence injecting drug use population at 302 710 people, compared to 67 474 in 1988. Those who have injected drugs in the previous year are estimated at 108 750 people in 1998. Amphetamines have displaced heroin as the most popular drug to inject among the general population. Those who have ever injected are more likely to be male, young, unemployed and to possess fewer educational qualifications. A variety of factors are discussed which may account for increases in injecting drug use.