Latest Bulletin
RSSBulletin 3: Population trends in cannabis use and first results of a study on cannabis-related emergency department presentations
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has recently released the first results of the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS). The findings report on patterns of cannabis consumption among Australians in 2007, compared with those at three year intervals between 1995 and 2004…
Latest from NCPIC
RSSNew National Drug Strategy Monograph Series report: 'Cannabis and Mental Health: Put into Context'
The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing has just released the report Cannabis and Mental Health: Put into Context, as part of its National Drug Strategy Monograph Series. Click…
General Community
In recent times there has been growing community concern about cannabis use in Australia, particularly in regards to young people.
Cannabis continues to be the most widely used illicit drug in Australia. According to the 2007 National Drug Household Survey, 33.5% of the Australian population reported using cannabis at some time, with 9% having used it in the last 12 months. Fifty two per cent of 20-29 year olds reported ever using the drug.
It is important to note that the proportion of Australian secondary school students reporting using cannabis has decreased in recent years. The 2004 Secondary School Survey found that cannabis was still the most commonly used illicit substance by this group, with 18% of all secondary school students aged between 12 and 17 years reporting using the drug at some time in their life.
This section of the website aims to provide members of the general community with information about cannabis and its harms, as well as best-practice prevention advice for parents.