REPORT REVEALS GAPS IN NATI0NAL DRUG USE DATA

A new report has identified a number of gaps in the national data available
on the use of illicit drugs.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics publication reports on a range of
national data sources, with the aim of helping people access information.

The report found data was not readily available on all the costs to
governments relating to illicit drug use.

Researcher Lynne Peterson says she also found little information about the
effects of a person's use of illicit drugs on family and community.

"I was trying to find data on such things as the association between
illicit drug use and child neglect or marriage breakdown, homelessness,
these issues we assume are associated but I could find very little
objective national data on the subject," she said.