The Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) is an illicit drug monitoring system which has been conducted in all states and territories of Australia since 2003, and forms part of Drug Trends.

This report summarises key findings from the 2018 EDRS interviews that were conducted in Hobart, Tasmania. People who regularly consume ecstasy and related drugs are interviewed face to face about the drugs they use and their health. To complement and interpret this information, data relating to drug use such as health and law enforcement data are also examined.

Key findings from 2018 include:

• On average, participants were using ecstasy or other stimulants fortnightly or more often. 
• Around one third regarded ecstasy as their drug of choice; less than 10% regarded methamphetamine as their preferred drug. Typically alcohol or cannabis (both by one-third) was the drug most frequently used among participants. 
• One-third had ‘binged’ on psychostimulants in the last six months, which refers to 48 hours or longer of use without sleep. This is a pattern of substance use that increases harm from use.

Results are not representative of all consumers or drug use in the general population and should be interpreted alongside findings from other data sources for a more complete profile of emerging trends in illicit drug use in Australia.

Recommended citation

Bruno, R, Sharman, C., Ney, L., & Bucher, E. (2019). Tasmanian Drug Trends 2018: Key Findings from the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS). Sydney, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.

Participants

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

Funding

Drug Trends is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care under the Drug and Alcohol Program.  

Copyright

Please note that any presentation of these data should include an acknowledgement of Drug Trends at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales. 

©NDARC, UNSW SYDNEY 2018 

This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. All other rights are reserved. Requests and enquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the information manager, NDARC, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia via drugtrends@unsw.edu.au.

• TAS EDRS 2018 - Report