About the program

The Epidemiology and Surveillance Program investigates patterns of drug use and the associated harms at community, local, state and national levels. The program informs the sector and the wider community by disseminating research results to a wide audience through a variety of mechanisms. Research conducted contributes to the policy debate, enhances teaching and collaboration, helps identify gaps in services and further develops knowledge.

Core activities for the past year have included analyzing surveys and official statistics on a variety of drug types including heroin, methamphetamine, ecstasy and alcohol. Specifically the program has examined young psychostimulant users, alcohol consumption patterns among Australian women and young Victorians, drug use and oral health, drugs and driving, the ethics of drug research as well as local area alcohol and drug profiling. More recently the program has started to examine problem gambling issues in the community.

Information sharing
The program prepares reports and journal articles, delivers conference presentations and provides advice and consultancy to groups within the community. A number of program staff presented research at International and local conferences throughout the year.

Staff profiles

Current projects

Area-based analysis of alcohol and drug-related harms

Victorian Drug Statistics

Victorian Alcohol Statistics