Reducing the incidence of blood-borne infections (BBVs) continues to present a considerable public health challenge. Both internationally and in New Zealand, the high risk of transmission of HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) among injecting drug users (IDUs) has led to the introduction of harm reduction measures, such as needle exchange programmes.

New figures indicate that use of narcotics (e.g. heroin) and cocaine is increasing, according to this Crime and Justice Statistics Bureau Brief. The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research examined trends in arrests for narcotics and cocaine possession and overdoses on narcotics and cocaine between 1999 and 2009. The number of arrests for narcotics...

This qualitative study examines the experiences of those with co-existing issues engaging with mental health or alcohol and other drug services.

This is the second major report in the series. It provides a region-by-region update of key developments in harm reduction since the first Global State report was released in 2008.

This report finds differences in drug use between male and female detainees and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous female detainees, highlighting different patterns of drug usage and dependencies and of associated most serious offences leading to arrest. The Drug Use Monitoring in Australia program makes a quarterly assessment of drug use by police detainees around Australia.