An examination of illicit drug takers in the under-30 age group, Perth, 1972-1973

This survey was undertaken in an attempt to describe the characteristics of young illicit drug takers in Perth. Personal data, details of family life and social background, and drug taking habits were obtained. Drugs investigated were: cannabis, L.S.D., amphetamines, heroin, morphia, opium, other opium preparations including codeine, pethidine, other synthetic analgesics including 'palfium', cocaine, psilocybin, 'mushrooms' (unspecified), mescaline, antihistamines, ephedrine, barbiturates, mandrax, other non-barbiturate hypnotics and tranquillisers and appetite suppressants other than amphetamines. Background variables included age, sex, nationality, religion and religiosity, marital status, satisfaction with marital relationship, age at leaving school, education standard achieved, occupation (ranked on Congaltons (1969) 7-point scale), job history and job satisfaction.