The Australians' Drug Use: Adapting to Pandemic Threats (ADAPT) Study is exploring the short and long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the experiences of Australians who use illicit drugs. Findings will be used to ensure drug-related issues during COVID-19 are better understood and more accurately represented, so as to better inform drug treatment and harm reduction in Australia.

Australians who regularly (i.e. at least once a month) used illicit drugs in 2019 were invited to complete an online survey initially and follow-up surveys in 2 months, 4 months and 12 months. Participants could opt to complete the Wave 1 survey only.

This bulletin outlines preliminary findings from the 197 participants who completed ALL surveys from Waves 1-4, describing changes in drug use and behaviours, health ratings and drug/mental health treatment access and engagement pre- and post-COVID-19 restrictions (i.e., since March 2020).

Acknowledgements:

• The participants who contributed their valuable time to share their experiences.
• The Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL) for their support and advice in developing the project.
• All those who gave advice and shared information about the project.
• The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre and the Australian Government Department of Health for funding support.

Resources

ADAPT study wave 4 bulletin.pdf