The number of people using drug ice in rural Australia is more than double compared to those living in regional towns and cities, according to new research.
A detailed examination of methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine (ice) use in Australia, to be presented at the APSAD Scientific Alcohol and Drugs Conference on Monday, has confirmed concerns use of the illicit drugs is significantly higher among rural Australians.
"For some time now there have been anecdotal reports suggesting a high and increasing level of methamphetamine use in rural Australia, but this was unsupported by evidence.
Now we have this proof, the next challenge is to understand why and determine how we can best tackle this problem," said Professor Anne Roch, director of the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction at Flinders University.
The study, led by Prof Roch, found recent crystal methamphetamine use in rural Australia more than doubled between 2007 to 2013, an increase of 150 per cent from 0.8 per cent to 2.0 per cent of people reporting lifetime and recent use.
Recent ice use remained stable in cities, according to the research.
More rural men used methamphetamine compared to their regional counterparts, with use most prevalent among men aged 18-25 years.
Use among teens aged 14-17 years also appeared to be dramatically higher than in urban areas.
Interestingly, ice use was also more prevalent among the employed in rural Australia compared to city workers.
Given rural Australians already have poorer health outcomes, these figures are concerning and warrant urgent action to address the health issue, implored Prof Roche.
"We need to urgently establish whether existing support services simply don't have the capacity to deal with demand for drug treatment, or whether there are other significant reasons," said Prof Roch.
"We need tailored strategies and interventions to address this growing health problem," said Professor Roche.
