THE use of low dose codeine for "non-medicinal/pain purposes" has declined significantly in Australia, according to a new report from the University of NSW's National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) released yesterday.
The Illicit Drug Reporting System 2018 report collates interviews with drug users, including a section on the use of so-called "homebake heroin" in the form of diamorphine extracted from pharmaceutical opioids such as codeine.
In 2018, 27% of the people sampled reported recent use of any codeine (low or high dose) on prescription for pain treatment.
However from 2013-2017 the use of low-dose codeine for illicit purposes was cited by 14% of those surveyed, versus just 3% for 2018.
The researchers said the data about the decline was not conclusive because participants were only asked about use in the last six months, but prior to the 01 Feb 2018 upscheduling of codeine.
The full NDARC report also covers changes in use of naloxone, fentanyl and oxycodone, and is available at ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au.
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