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Drug Trends - Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS)

  • Research program: Harm reduction policy and strategies
  • Project status: Completed
  • Start date: August 1999
  • Expected end date: June 2019
  • Completion date: June 2017
  • Funded by: AGDH
  • Lead organisation: University of New South Wales
Project Description

This study comprises the Perth arm of a research project to monitor illicit drug use trends in major cities across Australia. The project is coordinated nationally by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC). The Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) provides a co-ordinated approach to the monitoring of data associated with illicit drug use in Australia. The information collected is intended to act as an early warning system for the availability and use of four main drug categories: heroin, amphetamines, cocaine and cannabis. It has been piloted for two years in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. The project has been funded in all states and territories in Australia Since 1999 by the Australian Government Department of Health (AGDH). Thus the methods employed in the Perth arm for the last 14 years included a survey of 100 injecting drug users, a qualitative study of key informants who work in the drug field (eg health, law enforcement, outreach, and research professionals) and an examination of existing indicators (eg survey data, health and police data).

Please note that since June 2017, the IDRS and EDRS projects have been combined into the Drug Trends (IDRS & EDRS) project which can be viewed here.

PhD Student
PhD Supervisors
NDRI Project Staff
Name & Contact Details Role Research Program Location
Placeholder image

Professor Simon Lenton
Tel: 61 (0)8 9266 1603
s.lenton@curtin.edu.au
View profile

Chief Investigator

Harm reduction policy and strategies

Perth
NDRI Adjunct Project Staff
External Project Staff
Project Contact
Sustainable Development Goals and Targets

This project aligns with the following Sustainable Development Goals and Targets:

Related Publications

Dietze, P., Stare, M., Cogger, S., Nambiar, D., Olsen, A., Burns, L. and Lenton, S. (2018). Knowledge of naloxone and take-home naloxone programs among a sample of people who inject drugs in Australia: Variations across capital cities. Drug and Alcohol Review, 37, (4), pp. 457-463. doi:10.1111/dar.12644 [RJ1361] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2018). WA Drug Trends 2017: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3801-1 [T300] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2017). WA Drug Trends 2016: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3691-8 [T251] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2016). WA Drug Trends 2015: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3630-7 [T244] View web page

Van Buskirk, J., Roxburgh, A., Bruno, R., Naicker, S., Lenton, S., Sutherland, R., Whittaker, E., Sindicich, N., Matthews, A., Butler, K. and Burns, L. (2016). Characterising dark net marketplace purchasers in a sample of regular psychostimulant users. International Journal of Drug Policy, 35, pp. 32-37. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.01.010 [RJ1113] View web page

Dietze, P., Cogger, S., Malandkar, D., Olsen, A. and Lenton, S. (2015). Knowledge of naloxone and take-home naloxone programs among a sample of people who inject drugs in Australia. Illicit Drug Reporting System Drug Trends Bulletin April 2015. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 1449-2725 [T237] View web page Abstract

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2015). Indicators of an increase in heroin availability in Western Australia. Illicit Drug Reporting System Drug Trends Bulletin December 2015. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. [T243] View web page Abstract

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2015). WA Drug Trends 2014: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3541-6 [T236] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2014). WA Drug Trends 2013: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3420-4 [T233] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2013). Indications and implications of a gradual recovery in Perth's heroin market. Drug Trends Bulletin, April. [UJ187] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2013). WA Drug Trends 2012: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3255-2 [T222] View web page

Horyniak, D., Dietze, P., Degenhardt, L., Higgs, P., McIlwraith, F., Alati, R., Bruno, R., Lenton, S. and Burns, L. (2013). The relationship between age and risky injecting practices among a sample of Australian people who inject drugs. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 132, (3), pp. 541-546. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.03.021 [RJ890] View web page

Rainsford, C., A. and Lenton, S. (2012). WA Drug Trends 2011: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3119-7 [T218] View web page

Rainsford, C., A. and Lenton, S. (2011). WA Drug Trends 2010: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS), (61). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-7334-3025-1 [T209] View web page

Rainsford, C., A. and Lenton, S. (2010). WA Drug Trends 2009: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-2870-8 [T204] View web page

Rainsford, C., A., Lenton, S. and Fetherston, J. (2010). Indications of changing trends in heroin and other opioid use in IDRS data nationally and in Western Australia. Drug Trends Bulletin, April 2010. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 1449-2725 [UP25] View web page

George, J., Fetherston, J., Lenton, S. and Santana, L. (2009). WA Drug Trends 2008: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-2746-6 [T196]

Black, E., Roxburgh, A., Degenhardt, L., Bruno, R., Campbell, G., de Graaff, B., Fetherston, J., Kinner, S., A., Moon, C., Quinn, B., Richardson, M., Sindicich, N. and White, N. (2008). Australian Drug Trends 2007: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. [T188]

Degenhardt, L., Kinner, S., A., Roxburgh, A., Black, E., Bruno, R., Fetherston, J. and Fry, C. (2008). Drug use and risk among regular injecting drug users in Australia: Does age make a difference? Drug and Alcohol Review, 27, (4), pp. 357-360. doi:10.1080/09595230701750643 [RJ622] View web page

Degenhardt, L., Roxburgh, A., Black, E., Bruno, R., Campbell, G., Kinner, S., A. and Fetherston, J. (2008). The epidemiology of methamphetamine use and harm in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 27, (3), pp. 243-252. doi:10.1080/09595230801950572 [RJ616] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2008). WA Drug Trends 2007: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. [T182]

Fetherston, J., Topp, L., Black, E., Iverson, J. and Maher, L. (2008). Blood borne virus surveillance among sentinel samples of injecting drug users. IDRS Drug Trends December Bulletin 2007. [UJ151]

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2007). WA Drug Trends 2006: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978 0 7334 2464 9 [T173] View web page

O'Brien, S., Black, E., Degenhardt, L., Roxburgh, A., Campbell, G., de Graaff, B., Fetherston, J., Jenkinson, R., Kinner, S., A., Moon, C. and White, N. (2007). Australian Drug Trends 2006: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978 0 7334 2483 0 [T174] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2006). WA Drug Trends 2005: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 0 7334 2355 8 [T164] View web page

Stafford, J., Degenhardt, L., Black, E., Bruno, R., Buckingham, K., Fetherston, J., Jenkinson, R., Kinner, S., A., Newman, J. and Weekley, J. (2006). Australian Drug Trends 2005: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 0 7334 2356 6 [T165] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2005). WA Drug Trends 2004: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 0 7334 2213 6 [T158] View web page

Stafford, J., Degenhardt, L., Black, E., Bruno, R., Buckingham, K., Fetherston, J., Jenkinson, R., Kinner, S., A., Moon, C. and Weekley, J. (2005). Australian Drug Trends 2004: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 0 7334 2207 1 [M54] View web page

Breen, C., Degenhardt, L., Roxburgh, A., Bruno, R., Fetherston, J., Jenkinson, R., Kinner, S., A., Moon, C., Proudfoot, P., Ward, J. and Weekley, J. (2004). Australian Drug Trends 2003: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. [T146] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2004). WA Drug Trends 2003: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 1 887027 67 7 [T142] View web page

Breen, C., Degenhardt, L., Bruno, R., Roxburgh, A., Duquemin, A., Fetherston, J., Fischer, J., Jenkinson, R., Kinner, S., A., Longo, M. and Rushforth, C. (2003). Australian Drug Trends 2002: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 1 877027 367 [T134] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2003). WA Drug Trends 2002: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 1 877027 340 [T133] View web page

Hargreaves, K., M. and Lenton, S. (2002). WA Drug Trends 2001: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 1 877027 11 1 [T119] View web page

Hargreaves, K., M. and Lenton, S. (2001). WA Drug Trends 2000: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 0 7334 1751 5 [T184] View web page Abstract

Topp, L., Darke, S., Bruno, R., Fry, C., Hargreaves, K., M., Humeniuk, R., McAllister, R., O'Reilly, B. and Williams, P. (2001). Australian Drug Trends 2000: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 0 7334 1787 6 [M34] View web page

Hargreaves, K., M. and Lenton, S. (2000). WA Drug Trends 1999: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 0733406785 [T95] View web page