The Young Adult Drug and Alcohol Survey asks respondents aged 18 to 30 about their illicit and licit drug use.
Researcher Natalie Gately, who is running the survey in conjunction with the Drug and Alcohol Office, said information about this age group’s use of drugs and alcohol was often inferred, as other questionaries did not target that demographic.
‘The information we have about many young people aged 18 to 30 is from admittance into emergency departments and those that end up in fights,’ she said. ‘This research aims to get an accurate picture of drug and alcohol use.’
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READ NOWDr Gately said statistics released last week by the Australian Institute of Criminology in the Societal costs of alcohol misuse in Australia report highlighted the need for a complete picture of young people’s substance use.
‘There has been much discussion about young people and crime, and the complication elements of those who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol in commission of those crimes,’ Dr Gately said.
‘We have heard about out of control parties after being advertised on social media; fights in the city; even suggestions that there should be pubs with no beer.
‘This survey will provide invaluable information to assist the understanding of the prevalence and consumption of drugs by young adults.’
She said the information could then be used to inform alcohol policy.
‘Breaking the cycle of substance misuse has substantial benefits for the individual, their families and communities as well as being associated with substantial economic savings.’
The anonymous survey can be accessed online at https://ecuau.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_bE4TFe1a15IfjfL