Find information about some of the physical, legal and social consequences of drug use and misuse.
When accessing content use the numbers below to guide you:
brief, basic information laid out in an easy-to-read format. May use informal language. (Includes most news articles)
provides additional background information and further reading. Introduces some subject-specific language.
lengthy, detailed information. Frequently uses technical/subject-specific language. (Includes most analytical articles)
Drug Info @ State Library of NSW
Find information about drugs and the effects on the people who use them
Drugs - The Facts - Alcohol & Drug Foundation (ADF)
Find information about drugs and the impacts of drug use.
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs in Australia
This report consolidates the most recently available information on alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in Australia, and includes key trends in the availability, consumption, harms and treatment for vulnerable populations. The report also provides information on a range of health, social and economic impacts of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Drug dependence may occur when a person continues to use drugs— legal or illegal—even though their drug use causes them significant problems.
Drug dependence - Drug Info @ State Library of NSW
Read more about drug dependence, tolerance, withdrawal and detoxification.
The relationship between mental health and drug and alcohol use is complex because one can effect the other.
Drugs and Mental Health - Drug Info @ State Library of NSW
Find information about drugs and mental health.
State Library of NSW.
Drug use and mental health - Headspace
Browse factsheets about the effects of different drugs and mental health.
Headspace.
Most drugs are regulated by laws and regulations. Use or misuse of both illegal and legal drugs can have legal consequences.
Drugs and the law - Drug Info @State Library of NSW
Find information about the law in New South Wales relating to drugs, including possession, use and supply, manufacturing, importing and exporting. Also includes information about drugs and sport, young people and the law, drugs and driving and police powers.
State Library of NSW.
Find information about drugs and the law, including cautions and searches. Lawstuff provides legal information to children and young people in Australia.
Youth Law Australia.
The Law Handbook - Drugs Offences
The Law Handbook: your practical guide to law in NSW has a section on drug offences.
Thomson Reuters.
Recorded Crime Statistics - Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)
BOCSAR produces a quarterly and annual report series examining trends in crime (including drug related crimes) reported to, or detected by, the NSW Police Force.
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research.
References
Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (2021, April 23). Drug Facts. https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/
Australian Government - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2021, July 22). Alcohol, tobacco & other drugs in Australia - Social impacts. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/alcohol/alcohol-tobacco-other-drugs-australia/contents/impacts/social-impacts
Headspace. (n.d.). For Young people - Alcohol and Other Drugs. Retrieved (August 4, 2021), from https://headspace.org.au/young-people/alcohol-and-other-drugs/
NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. (2021, June 10). Recorded Crime Reports. https://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/Pages/bocsar_crime_stats/bocsar_latest_quarterly_and_annual_reports.aspx
State Library of NSW. (2020, October 9). Drug dependence. https://druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au/drugs/what-are-drugs/drug-dependence
State Library of NSW. (n.d.). Drugs and the law. Retrieved (August 4, 2021), from https://druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au/drugs-and-the-law
State Library of NSW. (2020, November 25). Mental health. https://druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au/drugs/mental-health
State Library of NSW. (n.d.). What are Drugs?. https://druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au/drugs/what-are-drugs
Thomson Reuters. (2019). The Law Handbook. Redfern Legal Centre Publishing
Youth Law Australia. (2021, February 16). Drugs. https://yla.org.au/nsw/topics/teen-issues/drugs/