Statistics

Statistical data in Australia about drug use, including inhalants,  is collected by several agencies at both a federal and state level.  There is a deficit of comprehensive data regarding inhalants users.  It is suggested the data is incomplete due to the fact that many inhalants users may fall outside of the demographic covered by the surveys i.e. not attending school, younger than the target age, or not living at home.   This should be taken into account when considering the data presented in general drug surveys.

National
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2008). 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: detailed findings. Drug Statistics Series number 20.Cat. no. PHE 98. Canberra: AIHW.  [website]

White V, & Hayman J. (2006) Australian secondary school students’ use of over-the-counter and illicit substances in 2005. Prepared for: National Drug Strategy Unit, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.  [website]

Indigenous
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework, 2006 report: detailed analyses. AIHW cat. no. IHW 20. Canberra: AIHW. (see chapter 2.20 Drug and other substance use including inhalants ) [pdf - 3.23 MB]

States and Territories
Australia Capital Territory
ACT Health (2007), Substance use and other health-related behaviours among ACT secondary students: results of the 2005 ACT secondary student alcohol and drug survey, health series number 39, ACT Health, Canberra.  [pdf - 332 kB]

“Inhalants were the most commonly used illicit substance reported in 2005, followed by cannabis, then tranquillisers “(p. 5).

New South Wales
Centre for Epidemiology and Research (2007) New South Wales school students health behaviours survey: 2005 report, Sydney: NSW Department of Health.  [website]

“In 2005, among students aged 12-17 years …14.4 per cent had used inhalants…in the last 12 months."

"In 2005, among students aged 12-17 years who had used inhalants in the last 12 months, the types of inhalants used were: 32.1 per cent glue, 28.3 per cent paint, 56.4 per cent petrol, 8.9 per cent thinners, 5.2 per cent butane gas, 1.2 per cent deodorant, and 0.8 per cent nail polish. There was no significant difference between males and females. “

Queensland
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (2006) 2004 National drug strategy household survey: selected results for Queensland, Prepared for Queensland Health.  [pdf - 172 kB]

South Australia
Drug and Alcohol Services. Statistics on illicit drug use in South Australia.  [website]

Drug and alcohol Services. Illicit drug use among South Australian secondary school students.  [website]

Victoria
White V, et.al. (2006) Victorian secondary school students' use of licit and illicit substances in 2005: results from the 2005 Australian Secondary school students’ Alcohol and Drug Survey, Melbourne: Victorian Department of Human Services.  [website]

“In 2005, 17% of students surveyed reported that they had deliberately sniffed inhalants at least once in their lifetime, 13% said they had used inhalants in the past year, and 7% in the past month. Most students who had used inhalants in the past month had used them only once or twice. Unlike other substances, inhalant use decreased with age.” (p. iv)

The Victorian Drug Statistics Handbook 2006: Patterns of drug use and related harm in Victoria, Melbourne: Victorian Government Publishing Service.  [pdf - 1.89 MB]

“Two per cent of Victorian 2004 National Drug Household Survey respondents reported lifetime use of inhalants, with 0.2% reporting inhalant use in the 12 months prior to the survey (21% of those who had ever used inhalants). Reported lifetime use was low across all age groups, with 4% of those aged 20–34 reporting lifetime inhalants use (Table 78). The median age of first use of inhalants was 16 years” (p.196).

Victorian Drug & Alcohol Prevention Council ( 2005), Victorian youth alcohol and drug survey 2004 - Illicit drug findings  [pdf - 395 Kb]

Western Australia
Government of Western Australia, Drug and Alcohol Office, Use of inhalants by WA school students in 2005.   [pdf - 398 kB]
Government of Western Australia, Drug and Alcohol Office (2003), Volatile substance related deaths in Western Australia 1997-2001.  [pdf - 55 kB]

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{page last updated: 3 December 2009}