Community health and patterns of substance use in regional towns - About - School of Public Health

The University of Queensland is conducting a study of people aged 18-49 years living in regional Queensland. The study sample comprises a random selection of adults who were registered on the electoral roll and living in a regional town. Consequently, a broad cross-section of adults aged 18-49 are represented in the study.

This is the first study of its kind to be conducted in Australia.

We would like to thank participants for their participation in the study. Your contribution is vital to the success of the study.

Study aims

Why is this research important?

Exploring the nature of substance use in regional areas is important to develop an accurate picture of the health concerns of substance users in regional Queensland. Much of the evidence on substance use behaviour in rural Australia comes from reports of frontline workers, such as police, paramedics, nurses and doctors. Frontline workers respond to problems such as drug and alcohol intoxication, and consequently this data is unlikely to represent the whole picture of substance use behaviour.

By studying patterns of substance use in the general population we will gain a better understanding of the full picture of the use of legal and illicit substance use in regional Australia. This information can then be used to inform better policies and services.