EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) is a continuing study of people who regularly use ecstasy and is conducted annually in the capital city of every state and territory in Australia. It is designed to identify emerging trends among a sentinel group of drug users, and to inform the health and law enforcement sectors about current drug use consumption patterns, relevant health issues, and other special areas of interest.

Characteristics of the 2013 sample (N=88) were largely similar to previous years (i.e. typically male, heterosexual, and engaged in work and/or study), except for one important characteristic. The mean age of the sample was 22 years compared with 26 years in 2012. This significant decrease in mean age may be associated with some important differences between the 2012 and 2013 samples.

Consumption trends

Current drug use

Ecstasy was the drug of choice for nearly half of the sample. However, only a quarter reported that it was the drug most often used in the previous month; cannabis was the most commonly used, followed by alcohol. Consumption patterns of ecstasy and related drugs remained stable with most using fortnightly.

Ecstasy use

Although pills remained the most commonly used form of ecstasy, 67% had used capsules, 36% powder, and 23% crystals. Two pills once a fortnight was the typical pattern of consumption. There was an increase in snorting, and 36% had recently binged on ecstasy. Ecstasy was commonly taken in conjunction with alcohol, and 48% of the sample used other drugs to come-down from ecstasy, generally cannabis.

Methamphetamine use

Use of methamphetamines was lower than in 2012, with 41% reporting recent use of speed powder, 9% base, and 21% crystal/ice. All forms were generally used infrequently.

Cocaine use

Cocaine use was stable, with 67% of participants having ever used and 40% having used in the previous six months. Recent use was generally occasional (median of two days in past six months).

Ketamine use

Ketamine use continued to be low: 27% had used ketamine in their lifetime with 13% having used in the previous six months. Recent use occurred only once or twice.

GHB use

GHB was not commonly used, with 13% reporting use in their life time and 6% in the previous six months.

Hallucinogen use

Although two in five reported recent LSD use, it was only used on a median of two days. Recent use of mushrooms significantly increased from 15% in 2012 to 38% in 2013 (p