Substance use and mental health

The Global Drug Survey (GDS), led by Professor Adam Winstock, is the largest online global survey of people who use drugs.

The incidence of alcohol-related violence fell in Queensland’s key nightlife areas while business continued to grow after the Queensland Government’s Tackling Alcohol Fuelled Violence (TAFV) policy was introduced, independent research has found.

Findings from the Global Drug Survey study, a project collaborated on by The University of Queensland’s Associate Professor Jason Ferris, reveals some Australians are turning to psychedelic drugs to self-treat mental illness and emotional distress.

Despite the challenges of 2020 the RASSS and GSUMH teams demonstrated their commitment to research excellence with members being recognised with academic awards.

With the time warp of Christmas and New Years behind us, we can reflect on Australia’s heavy drinking culture and feelings of regret often associated with drinking alcohol.

Methamphetamine ‘cooks’ in domestic labs are most likely to be male, Caucasian and about 30 years old, according to University of Queensland researchers.

COVID-19 has changed our world, and our drinking habits along with it. We compare people's drinking habits pre- and during the pandemic and what the implications of this behaviour might be.

University of Queensland researcher Dr Cheneal Puljevic has been awarded the Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs (APSAD)’s Early Career Award for 2020.

The Global Drug Survey (GDS) is the world’s largest annual online survey of people who use drugs, run in multiple countries. Usually undertaken at the end of each year, in these unprecedented times the GDS has also run a Special Edition COVID-19 survey to offer insights into the impact COVID-19 has had on peoples’ use of alcohol and other drugs, their mental health and relationships.

This is the fourth in a series of articles discussing a recently released comprehensive evaluation of the Queensland government’s 2016 policy reforms to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence and the implications for liquor regulation and the night-time economy in Queensland and Australia. A summary report is also available.