Alcohol consumption among high students Australia 1996-2023

In Australia, nearly 65 percent of high school students said in a survey between 2022 and 2023 that they had consumed alcohol at least once in their lifetime. This is a trend that has decreased steadily since 1996, where around 89 percent responded that they have consumed alcohol at least once in their lifetime. 

Is smoking and the use of illicit drugs declining in Australian high schools?

Alongside the declining trend of alcohol consumption, the use of tobacco cigarettes and illicit drugs has also seen a steady decrease among high school students. The prevalence of smoking among students has decreased by around 75 percent since a survey conducted in 1996. Illicit drug use by high school students, excluding cannabis, has halved during the same period. 

Painkillers remain prevalent for high school students

The use of painkillers by high school students in Australia has only slightly deceased in recent years, with a large majority having used them at least once in their lifetime. Most painkillers are taken by students to ease cold or flue symptoms, or for helping with a headache or migraine. In addition, the low prevalence of tranquilizers among high school students, such as Valium or Xanax, has remained consistent over the last few decades.