REPORT HIGHLIGHTS REGIONAL RISE IN ILLICIT DRUGS USE

A report into drug use has shown an alarming rise in the use of illicit
drugs in regional Australia.

The Australian Institute of Criminology's report, from 1988 to 1998, shows
there has been a 130 per cent increase in the use of amphetamines in the bush.

The report also shows there has been a more than 235 per cent increase in
the use of ecstasy and heroin, and marijuana use has also grown.

Institute director Dr Adam Graycar says the extent of illicit drug use in
the bush is partly due to the squeeze being put on regional towns and areas.

"We've seen very substantial rises in the use of drugs in non-metropolitan
areas and a lot of this has to do with the way non-metropolitan areas are
feeling all sorts of pressures, and drug use is one response to those sort
of pressures," he said.