Drug Trends (IDRS & EDRS)

  • Research program: Harm reduction policy and strategies
  • Project status: Current
  • Start date: July 2017
  • Expected end date: June 2025
  • Completion date: June 2025
  • Funded by: AGDHA
  • Lead organisation: University of New South Wales

This project combines the Illicit Drug Reporting System and the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Initiative studies that comprised the Perth arms of two major research projects, coordinated nationally by NDARC , to monitor illicit drug use trends in major cities across Australia.

  1. Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS)

    The aims of the study are to examine the demographic characteristics, patterns of use; perceived harms associated with use; and drug market factors such as price, potency and availability of four main drug categories: heroin, amphetamines, cocaine and cannabis. The project has been funded in all states and territories in Australia since 1999 by the Australian Government Department of Health (AGDHAC). The methods employed in the Perth arm involve a survey of 100 injecting drug users in Perth. The project is coordinated nationally by NDARC.

  2. Ecstasy and Related Drugs Initiative in WA (EDRS)

    This study comprises the Perth arm of a research project to monitor illicit drug use trends in major cities across Australia. The aims of the study are to examine the demographic characteristics, patterns of ecstasy and other 'party drug' use; perceived harms associated with use; and drug market factors such as price, potency and availability of ecstasy and other party drugs in Perth, Western Australia from a sample of regular users of ecstasy. The study involves data from two sources: face-to-face or telephone interviews of 100 regular ecstasy users in Perth. The project monitors trends in the availability and use of ecstasy and related 'party drugs'. It is coordinated nationally by NDARC, and has been conducted annually in WA since 2003.

Note that the previous projects may be viewed here: IDRS and EDRS.

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

Placeholder image

Dr Jodie Grigg
Tel: 61 (0)8 9266 1618
j.grigg@curtin.edu.au
View profile

Co-investigator

Harm reduction policy and strategies

Perth

  • Chief Investigator: Amy Peacock, University of New South Wales
  • Chief Investigator: Rachel Sutherland, University of New South Wales

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

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

Sustainable development goal 3 icon 3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol

Agramunt, S., Price, O. and Lenton, S. (2024). Sexual health behaviours in a sample of people in Australia who regularly inject illicit or non-prescribed drugs, 2023. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney. doi:10.26190/unsworks/30236 [UP50] View web page

Akhurst, J., Price, O., Sutherland, R., Gibbs, D., Dietze, P., Bruno, R., Agramunt, S., Colledge-Frisby, S., Lenton, S., Salom, C., L., Thomas, N. and Peacock, A. (2024). Naloxone cascade of care among people who regularly inject drugs in Australia, 2020–2022. International Journal of Drug Policy, 133. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104572 [RJ2128] View web page

Grigg, J., Lenton, S., Soderstrom, J. and Smith, J., L. (2024). GHB and methamphetamine use in a single session among a sample of people who regularly use illicit stimulants in Australia, 2023. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. doi:10.26190/unsworks/30327 [UP49] View web page

Soderstrom, J., Grigg, J., McWilliams, O. and Fatovich, D. (2024). Brain and body disconnect: A retrospective case series of subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord from chronic nitrous oxide use in Perth, Western Australia. Medical Journal of Australia. doi:10.1111/dar.13858 [RJ2001] View web page

Sutherland, R., Chandrasena, U., Karlsson, A., Uporova, J., Tayeb, H., Price, O., Salom, C., L., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Daly, C., Thomas, N., Radke, S., Lloyd, Z., Grigg, J., Haywood, S., Degenhardt, L., Farrell, M. and Peacock, A. (2024). Australian Drug Trends 2024: Key Findings from the National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney. ISBN: 2981-9318 doi:10.26190/unsworks/30462 [T332] View web page

Sutherland, R., Karlsson, A., Uporova, J., Chandrasena, U., Tayeb, H., Price, O., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Salom, C., L., Radke, S., Vella-Horne, D., Haywood, S., Daly, C., Thomas, N., Degenhardt, L., Farrell, M. and Peacock, A. (2024). Australian Drug Trends 2024: Key Findings from the National Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney. ISBN: 2981-9326 doi:10.26190/unsworks/30464 [T331] View web page

Agramunt, S. and Lenton, S. (2023). Injecting equipment access and use in a sample of Australians who regularly inject drugs, 2022. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. [UP45] Download PDF

Agramunt, S. and Lenton, S. (2023). Western Australian Drug Trends 2023: Key Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. [T326] Download PDF

Gibbs, D., Peacock, A., Hughes, C., Grigg, J., Chandrasena, U. and Sutherland, R. (2023). Encounters with police drug detection dogs at music festivals amongst people who regularly use ecstasy and/or other illicit stimulants in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review. doi:10.1111/dar.13601 [RJ1987] View web page

Gibbs, D., King, C., Hughes, C., Peacock, A., Grigg, J., See Yuen, W. and Sutherland, R. (2023). Comparing police use of drug detection dogs amongst injecting and non-injecting groups of people who regularly use drugs in Australia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 122. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104223 [RJ2101] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2023). Trends in pharmaceutical stimulant use among a sample of people who regularly use ecstasy and/or other illicit stimulants in Perth, WA, 2007-2022. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. doi:10.26190/4fv6-x173 [UP46] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2023). Western Australian Drug Trends 2023: Key Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney; 2023. [T325] View web page

Grigg, J., Peacock, A., Lenton, S., Salom, C., L., Agramunt, S., Thomas, N., Lyons, T. and Sutherland, R. (2023). Real or fake? Sourcing and marketing of non-prescribed benzodiazepines among two samples of people who regularly use illicit drugs in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 42, (6), pp. 1559-1565. doi:10.1111/dar.13722 [RJ2016] View web page

Price, O., Man, N., Sutherland, R., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Salom, C., L., Agramunt, S., Grigg, J., Degenhardt, L. and Peacock, A. (2023). Disruption to Australian heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and ecstasy markets with the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions. International Journal of Drug Policy, 113. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.103976 [RJ2000] View web page

Price, O., Sutherland, R., Man, N., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Salom, C., L., Akhurst, J. and Peacock, A. (2023). Trends and psychosocial correlates of same day polysubstance use among people who inject drugs in Australia, 2012-2022. International Journal of Drug Policy. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104150 [RJ2104] View web page

Sutherland, R., Man, N., Brown, J., Cairns, R., Raubenheimer, J., E., Grigg, J., Dawson, A., Jamshidi, N. and Peacock, A. (2023). Has there been an increase in nitrous oxide use and associated harms in Australia? An analysis of triangulated data sources, 2003-2020. International Journal of Drug Policy, 121. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104178 [RJ1992] View web page

Sutherland, R., Uporova, J., King, C., Chandrasena, U., Karlsson, A., Jones, F., Gibbs, D., Price, O., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Salom, C., L., Bruno, R., Wilson, J., Agramunt, S., Daly, C., Thomas, N., Radke, S., Stafford, L., Degenhardt, L., Farrell, M. and Peacock, A. (2023). Australian Drug Trends 2023: Key Findings from the National Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney. [T327] View web page

Agramunt, S. and Lenton, S. (2022). Non-medical prescription opioid injection in a sample of Australians who regularly inject drugs: Are there differences by gender and age?. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. [UP44] Download PDF

Agramunt, S. and Lenton, S. (2022). Western Australian Drug Trends 2021: Key Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-4027-4 [T305] View web page

Agramunt, S. and Lenton, S. (2022). Western Australian Drug Trends 2022: Key Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-4060-1 [T314] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2022). Reasons for non-prescribed benzodiazepine use among a sample of people who regularly use ecstasy and/or other illicit stimulants in Australia. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney. [UP42] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2022). Western Australian Drug Trends 2021: Key Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-4026-7 [T303] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2022). Western Australian Drug Trends 2022: Key Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-4059-5 [T311] View web page

Price, O., Dietze, P., Maher, L., Crawford, S. and Peacock, A. (2022). COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among people in Australia who inject drugs: Update from the 2021 Illicit Drug Reporting System interviews. Drug and Alcohol Review (1028th ed), 41, (5), pp. 1025. doi:10.1111/dar.13448 [RJ1866] View web page

Price, O., Man, N., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Salom, C., L., Lenton, S., Grigg, J., Gibbs, D., Wilson, T., Degenhardt, L., Chan, R., Thomas, N. and Peacock, A. (2022). Changes in illicit drug use and markets with the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions: Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System, 2016-2020. Addiction, 117, (1), pp. 182-194. doi:10.1111/add.15620 [RJ1648] View web page

Sutherland, R., Uporova, J., King, C., Jones, F., Karlsson, A., Gibbs, D., Price, O., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Salom, C., L., Daly, C., Thomas, N., Juckel, J., Agramunt, S., Wilson, Y., Que Noy, W., Wilson, J., Degenhardt, L., Farrell, M. and Peacock, A. (2022). Australian Drug Trends 2022: Key Findings from the National Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. [T309] View web page

Sutherland, R., Uporova, J., King, C., Jones, F., Karlsson, A., Gibbs, D., Price, O., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Salom, C., L., Daly, C., Thomas, N., Juckel, J., Agramunt, S., Wilson, Y., Que Noy, W., Wilson, J., Degenhardt, L., Farrell, M. and Peacock, A. (2022). Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews 2022: Background and Methods. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. [T315] Download PDF

Agramunt, S. and Lenton, S. (2021). Characteristics of PWID who are in treatment versus not in treatment: COVID-19 related health concerns and behaviours. Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System 2020. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW. [UP39] View web page

Agramunt, S. and Lenton, S. (2021). Western Australia Drug Trends 2020: Key Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3973-5 [T296] View web page

Grigg, J. (2021). Public consultation on interim decisions to amend the Poisons Standard (nitrous oxide) - Part B - Written comments. [R358]

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2021). Increasing trends in coke, ket, nangs and poppers among people who regularly use ecstasy and/or other illicit stimulants, Perth WA. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. [UP40] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2021). Western Australian Drug Trends 2020: Key Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3961-2 [T291] View web page

Grigg, J. and Soderstrom, J. (2021). TGA Submission - Quantifying the burden of nitrous oxide use to Emergency Departments around WA. [R359]

Peacock, A., Gibbs, D., Price, O., Barratt, M., J., Ezard, N., Sutherland, R., Hill, P., L., Grigg, J., Lenton, S., Page, R., Salom, C., L., Hughes, C. and Bruno, R. (2021). Profile and correlates of colorimetric reagent kit use among people who use ecstasy/MDMA and other illegal stimulants in Australia. International Journal of Drug Policy, 97, pp. 103334. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103334 [RJ1722] View web page

Peacock, A., Uporova, J., Karlsson, A., Price, O., Gibbs, D., Swanton, R., Chan, R., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Salom, C., L., Degenhardt, L. and Farrell, M. (2021). Australian Drug Trends 2020: Key Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney. [T294] View web page

Stewart, A., Peacock, A., Djordjevic, F., Cossar, R., Salom, C., L., Lenton, S. and Dietze, P. (2021). Ketamine use among people who regularly use ecstasy and other illicit stimulants in Australia: trends and characteristics of use, 2009-2019, 82, (2), pp. 188-196. doi:10.15288/jsad.2021.82.188 [RJ1605] View web page

Agramunt, S. and Lenton, S. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 and associated restrictions on people who inject drugs in Western Australia: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System 2020. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. [T301] View web page

Agramunt, S. and Lenton, S. (2020). Injecting risk behaviours and harms associated with injecting drug use in Australia: does gender make a difference?. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. [T286] View web page

Agramunt, S. and Lenton, S. (2020). Western Australia Drug Trends 2019: Key Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3910-0 [T282] View web page

Gibbs, D., Peacock, A., O'Keefe, D., Butler, K., Bruno, R., Lenton, S., Burns, L. and Larney, S. (2020). Use of alcohol swabs to clean injecting sites among people who regularly inject drugs in Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 39, (1), pp. 83-92. doi:10.1111/dar.13006 [RJ1483] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2020). Impacts of COVID-19 and associated restrictions on people who use illicit stimulants in Western Australia: Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System 2020. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. [T288] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2020). Increasing trends in self-reported use of nitrous oxide among WA EDRS samples. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. [T289] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2020). Western Australia Drug Trends 2019: Key Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3904-9 [T283] View web page

Peacock, A., Price, O., Karlsson, A., Uporova, J., Chan, R., Swanton, R., Gibbs, D., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Salom, C., L., Lenton, S., Agramunt, S., Hall, C., Wilson, T., Daly, C., Moon, C., Degenhardt, L. and Farrell, M. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 and associated restrictions on people who inject drugs in Australia: Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System 2020. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW. [T290] Download PDF

Fetherston, J., Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2019). Reviewing six years of a peer-driven naloxone training program in Western Australia. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. [R332] View web page

Fetherston, J., Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2019). Western Australian Drug Trends 2018: Key findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3850-9 [T271] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2019). Shifting trends in the Perth ecstasy market: Harm reduction implications. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales., Sydney, Australia. [R333] View web page

Grigg, J. and Lenton, S. (2019). Western Australia Drug Trends 2018: Key Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3846-2 [T270] View web page

Grigg, J., Lenton, S. and Peacock, A. (2019). Correlates of self-reported significant adverse effects following ‘ecstasy’ use: Implications for harm reduction. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. [R339] View web page

Peacock, A., Karlsson, A., Uporova, J., Gibbs, D., Swanton, R., Kelly, G., Price, O., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Salom, C., L., Degenhardt, L. and Farrell, M. (2019). Australian Drug Trends 2019: Key Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3890-5 [T285] View web page

Peacock, A., Uporova, J., Karlsson, A., Gibbs, D., Swanton, R., Kelly, G., Price, O., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Salom, C., L., Degenhardt, L. and Farrell, M. (2019). Australian Drug Trends 2019: Key Findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3889-9 [T284] View web page

Couto e Cruz, C., Dietze, P., Salom, C., L., Lenton, S., Burns, L. and Alati, R. (2018). Frequent experience of discrimination among people who inject drugs: Links with health and wellbeing. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 190, pp. 188-194. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.06.009 [RJ1440] View web page

Fetherston, J. and Lenton, S. (2018). Western Australian Drug Trends 2017: Key findings from the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3801-1 [T272] View web page

Nelson, M. and Lenton, S. (2018). WA trends in ecstasy and related drug markets 2017: Findings from the Ecstasy and related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS). National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW. ISBN: 978-0-7334-3791-5 [T257] View web page

Peacock, A., Gibbs, D., Karlsson, A., Uporova, J., Sutherland, R., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Alati, R., Degenhardt, L. and Farrell, M. (2018). Australian Drug Trends 2018: Key Findings from the National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. [T275] View web page

Peacock, A., Gibbs, D., Sutherland, R., Uporova, J., Karlsson, A., Bruno, R., Dietze, P., Lenton, S., Alati, R., Degenhardt, L. and Farrell, M. (2018). Australian Drug Trends 2018: Key Findings from the National Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) Interviews. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW. [T274] View web page