Recent use of any non-prescribed ecstasy remained stable in 2026 (94%; 93% in 2025), though the frequency of use significantly decreased (7 days; 8 days in 2025; p=0.010). 

Capsules remained the most commonly used form of non-prescribed ecstasy in 2026 (55%; 55% in 2025), followed by crystal (43%; 51% in 2025; p=0.006) which declined significantly relative to 2025. Recent use of pills (40%; 40% in 2025) and powder (21%; 23% in 2025) remained stable. 

The median price for both one non-prescribed ecstasy pill and one non-prescribed ecstasy capsule was $25, stable from 2025. The median price for one point of non-prescribed ecstasy crystal significantly decreased, from $30 in 2025 to $20 in 2026 (p=0.017). 

Perceived purity for all forms of non-prescribed ecstasy remained stable in 2026, relative to 2025, though the perceived availability of ecstasy pills significantly changed between 2025 and 2026 (p=0.011), with more participants reporting ‘easy’ obtainment in 2026 (47%; 34% in 2025). 

Recent methamphetamine use among this sample has declined over time, with a further decrease observed between 2025 (29%) and 2026 (20%) (p<0.001). 

Recent use of methamphetamine crystal (15%; 20% in 2025; p=0.005) and powder (6%; 12% in 2025; p<0.001) both significantly decreased in 2026, though frequency of use for both forms remained stable. Few participants (n≤5) reported using base in 2026. 

The price, perceived purity and perceived availability of methamphetamine powder and methamphetamine crystal remained stable between 2025 and 2026.

Past six month use of non-prescribed pharmaceutical stimulants remained stable in 2026 (53%; 55% in 2025), as did frequency of use (6 days). 

Among those who reported recent use, the majority reported using dexamfetamine (79%), followed by ritalin (33%). 

Median price ($5 per 5mg tablet) and perceived availability both remained stable relative to 2025, with 80% reporting ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’ obtainment.

A significant increase was observed in recent use of cocaine, from 79% in 2025 to 84% in 2026 (p=0.019), the highest per cent observed over the reporting period. Median frequency of use also significantly increased, from 5 days in 2025 to 6 days in 2026 (p<0.001). 

The majority of participants who had recently consumed cocaine reported using powder cocaine (93%; 96% in 2025; p=0.020), with 14% reporting use of crack/rock cocaine (9% in 2025; p=0.013). 

Perceived purity and perceived availability of cocaine remained stable between 2025 and 2026. 

While the median price of a gram of cocaine remained stable at $350, the distribution of reported prices differed significantly between 2025 and 2026 (p=0.019). 

Recent use of non-prescribed cannabis and/or cannabinoid-related products remained stable in 2026 (71%) relative to 2025 (72%), though frequency of use significantly decreased (30 days; 48 days in 2025; p=0.005).

Among those who reported recent use in 2026, hydroponic cannabis was the most commonly used form of non-prescribed cannabis (62%), followed by bush cannabis (53%). 

The price, perceived potency and perceived availability of hydroponic cannabis remained stable in 2026 relative to 2025. 

However, the median price of a gram of bush cannabis significantly increased ($20; $15 in 2025; p=0.040), and the perceived availability significantly changed, relative to 2025 (p<0.001), with less participants reporting ‘very easy’ obtainment (60%; 79% in 2025), and more participants reporting ‘easy’ obtainment (34%; 19% in 2025). 

Recent use of non-prescribed ketamine (53%; 52% in 2025), LSD (34%; 35% in 2025) and DMT (9%; 11% in 2025) remained stable in 2026, relative to 2025. 

Median frequency of use remained low for all three substances, though median days of non-prescribed ketamine significantly increased from 5 days of use in 2025 to 6 days in 2026 (p=0.031). 

Price, perceived purity and perceived availability for non-prescribed ketamine and LSD remained stable between 2025 and 2026. 

Recent use of any NPS (excluding plant-based NPS) remained stable in 2026 (10%; 13% in 2025), with any 2C substance the most commonly used NPS (6%; 4% in 2025). 

In 2026, 95% reported recent alcohol use, a significant increase relative to 2025 (92%; p=0.031), though frequency of use remained stable (30 days; 40 days in 2025). 

Recent use of any tobacco remained stable in 2026, relative to 2025 (72%, respectively), although there were significant decreases in median days of use (85 days; 120 days in 2025; p=0.010) and daily use (34%; 43% in 2025; p=0.003). 

The per cent reporting recent use of smoked or non-smoked illicit tobacco products significantly increased in 2026 (55%; 46% in 2025; p<0.001). 

Recent use of all other monitored drugs remained stable between 2025 and 2026.

Polysubstance use and bingeing

On the last occasion of ecstasy or related drug use, 88% of participants reported concurrent use of two or more drugs (excluding tobacco and e-cigarettes).

One quarter (25%) of participants reported using stimulants or related drugs for 48 hours or more continuously without sleep in the six months preceding interview.

Dependence, overdose and injecting

Three quarters (75%) of participants obtained an AUDIT score of ≥8, indicative of hazardous alcohol use. 

Seventeen per cent of those who reported recent ecstasy use obtained an SDS score of ≥3, while 45% of participants reporting recent methamphetamine use obtained a score of ≥4 (32% in 2025; p=0.032), indicating possible dependence on these substances.

Past year non-fatal stimulant overdose remained stable in 2026 (15%; 18% in 2025), however, past year non-fatal depressant overdose significantly decreased (17%; 22% in 2025; p=0.023).

Past month injecting drug use remained low and stable (1%; 2% in 2025).

Drug checking and naloxone awareness

One third (33%) of participants reported that they or someone else had tested the content and/or purity of their illicit drugs in Australia in the past year, a significant decrease from 39% in 2025 (p=0.044).

In 2026, 77% of the sample reported that they had ever heard of naloxone, of which 21% reported that they had obtained naloxone in the year prior to interview, both stable from 2025 (73% and 27%, respectively)

Sexual activity, mental health and health service access

Almost four fifths (77%) of the sample reported engaging in sexual activity in the past four weeks, of which 82% reported using alcohol and/or other drugs prior to or while engaging in sexual activity.

Fifty-five per cent of the sample self-reported that they had experienced a mental health problem in the preceding six months. Fifteen per cent reported a score of ≥30 on the K10, indicating very high psychological distress.

Twenty-eight per cent of participants reported accessing any health service for alcohol and/or drug support in the six months preceding interview. Current drug treatment engagement remained low (6%).

Driving, contact with police and modes of purchasing drugs

In 2026, the per cent of recent drivers who reported driving while over the perceived legal limit of alcohol (24%; 20% in 2025; p<0.001) or within three hours of consuming an illicit or non-prescribed drug (35%; 44% in 2025; p=0.003) both significantly changed relative to 2025, albeit in opposite directions.

Five per cent of participants reported past year arrest (8% in 2025; p=0.029), while 11% reported a drug-related encounter with police which did not result in arrest (15% in 2025; p=0.035).

In 2026, the most common means of arranging the purchase of illicit or non-prescribed drugs in the 12 months preceding interview was face-to-face (75%), closely followed by social networking or messaging applications (73%). Most participants continued to report obtaining illicit drugs face-to-face (96%), primarily from a friend/relative/parter colleague (79%) or from a known dealer (67%). 

Sutherland R, Karlsson A, Chandrasena U, Uporova J, Palmer L, Chrzanowska A, Bruno R, Dietze P, Lenton S, Salom C, Radke S, Wilson J, Raffaele D, Grigg J, Degenhardt L, Farrell M, & Peacock A. Australian Drug Trends 2026: Key Findings from the National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. Sydney: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney; 2026. Available from: https://doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/32704

We would like to thank all the participants who shared their knowledge and experience with us in the present and in previous years.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which this work was undertaken. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that same respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognise their continuing connection to Country, culture and community.

Drug Trends is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the Drug and Alcohol Program.

©NDARC, UNSW SYDNEY 2026 

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