Departmental Research Papers

WADDCU papers (1992 – 1997)

These papers were produced by the WA Drug Data Collection Unit (WADDCU), which was part of the arrangements established under the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) for cross-jurisdictional policy development, research, funding and reporting. It was located in the Epidemiology Branch of the Health Department of WA.

Swensen G, Westlund G & Baker MR (1992)
Sales of needles & syringes in WA: the SS5 Pack Project 1987-1990.
Occasional Paper No. 47. Perth, Health Services Statistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Department of Western Australia. [61k]

This was a case study covering the period from June 1987 to December 1990, when two programs for the distribution of sterile needles and syringes (N&S) had been established and expanded throughout WA, involving (a) retail community pharmacies of a collection of preventive materials with a pack of 5 syringes in a disposable container and (b) through peer based needle & syringe exchange programs.

Swensen G (1992)
Deaths caused by alcohol use in Western Australia, 1981-1990.
Occasional Paper No. 50. Perth, Health Services Statistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Department of Western Australia. [3.3MB]

Swensen G (1993)
Mortality attributable to drug use in Western Australia, 1981-1991
.
Occasional Paper No. 51. Perth, Health Services Statistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Department of Western Australia. [1.9MB]

Veroni M, Swensen G & Thomson N (1993)
Hospital admissions in Western Australia wholly attributable to alcohol use: 1981-1990.
Perth, Health Services Statistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Department of Western Australia.

Unwin E, Swensen G, Moroz P & Thomson N (1994)
Hospitalisation due to alcohol caused injuries in Western Australia, 1981-1992.

Occasional Paper No. 54. Perth, Health Services Statistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Department of Western Australia.

Swensen G & Unwin E (1994)
A study of hospitalisation and mortality due to alcohol use in the Kimberley Health Region of Western Australia, 1988-1992.

Occasional Paper No. 57. Perth, Health Services Statistics and Epidemiology Branch, Health Department of Western Australia. [355k]

Unwin E, Codde E & Swensen G (1997)
Hospitalisation due to drugs other than tobacco or alcohol in Western Australia, 1991-1995.

Occasional Paper No. 87. Perth, Epidemiology and Analytical Services, Health Department of Western Australia and WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office. [538k]

Unwin E, Codde J, Swensen G & Saunders P (1997)
The impact of tobacco smoking on health in Western Australia, 1984–1995.

Perth, Epidemiology and Analytical Services, Health Department of Western Australia. [915k]

Unwin E, Codde E, Swensen G & Saunders P (1997)
Alcohol caused deaths and hospitalisation in Western Australia by Health Services.
Occasional Paper No. 88. Perth, Epidemiology and Analytical Services, Health Department of Western Australia and WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office. [444k]

Epidemiology Branch – Health Department (1995 – 2004)

Unwin, E & Serafino, S (1995)
A study of hospitalisation and mortality due to alcohol use in the Pilbara region and Western Australia, 1989 – 1993
.
Occasional Paper No. 69. Perth, Epidemiology and Analytical Services, Health Department of Western Australia and WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office. [233k]

Unwin, E (1996)
Drug-caused deaths in Western Australia, 1984 – 1994.

Occasional Paper No. 78. Perth, Epidemiology Branch, Health Department of Western Australia. [342k]

Unwin E & Codde, J (1998)
Comparison of deaths due to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in Western Australia and Australia.

Perth, Epidemiology Branch, Health Department of Western Australia. [96k]

Unwin, E, Codde, J P & Bartu, A (2004)
The impact of alcohol on the health of West Australians.

Occasional Paper No 19. Perth, Epidemiology Branch, Health Department of Western Australia. [205k]

WADASO papers (2000 – 2003)

This series of research papers were produced and published between 2000 and 2003 by the Task Force on Drug Abuse (TFDA) (1996 – 1997) and the WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office (WADASO) (July 1997 – June 2002).

In aggregate a total of 11 reports and papers were published. Note: A number of these papers were subsequently published by the Drug and Alcohol Office (DAO), which commenced in July 2002.

  • Ian Jacobs (2000)
    No. 1: Management of pre-hospital opiate overdoses in Perth, Western Australia
    [53k]
  • Sharon Hillman, Sven Silburn, Andria Green & Stephen Zubrick (2000)
    No. 2: Youth suicide in Western Australia involving cannabis and other drugs
    [364k]
  • Eleanor Costello (2001)
    No. 3: The Drug Aware psychostimulants campaign: How to develop a campaign aimed at preventing the use of ‘Party drugs’ [207k]
  • Greg Swensen (2001)
    No. 4: Indicators of drug abuse in Western Australia 1998 [5.6MB]
  • Greg Swensen (2001)
    No. 5 Indicators of drug abuse: Australia vs other countries (September 2001) [329k]
  • Greg Swensen (2001)
    No. 6: Use of illicit drugs: West Australian adults, 1998 [467k]
  • Giulietta Valuri, David Indermaur & Anna Ferrante (2002)
    No. 7: The criminal careers of drug offenders in Western Australia: A study of the recidivism & criminal history of those arrested for a drug offence in Western Australia between 1989 & 1999 [807k]
  • Greg Swensen, Colin Pridiss & Gil Wilson (2003)
    No. 8: Police drug seizures and drug purity narratives, Western Australia, 2002 [2.4MB]
  • Greg Swensen (2003)
    No. 9: Cannabis related deaths in Western Australia, 1997 – 2001 (December 2003) [74k]
  • Greg Swensen & Liz Unwin (2003)
    No. 10: Volatile substance related deaths in Western Australia, 1997 – 2001 [56k]
  • Greg Swensen (2002)
    No. 11: Alcohol related harm in Western Australia [1.4MB]

Statistical bulletins (1996 – 2008)

A total of 42 statistical bulletins were produced between 1996 and 2008 by the TFDA (1996 – 1997), the WADASO (July 1997 – June 2002), and by the DAO (July 2002 – May 2008). 

  • No. 1: Drug related traffic fatalities in Western Australia (May 1996)
  • No. 2: Mortality caused by opioids, Western Australia, 1995 (August 1996)
  • No. 3: Needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1995 (December 1996)
  • No. 4: Opioid deaths, Western Australia, 1996. (July 1997)
  • No. 5: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990-1997 (June 1999)
  • No. 6: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-1997 (March 1999)
  • No. 7: Alcohol sales, Western Australia, 1967/1968–1997/1998 (May 2000)
  • No. 8: Accidental heroin related deaths, Western Australia, 1997-1998 (May 2000)
  • No. 9: Drug offences, Western Australia, 1998-1999 (July 2000)
  • No. 10: Drug offences, Western Australia, 1998-2000 (February 2001)
  • No. 11: Utilisation of sobering up centres and their impact on detentions for drunkenness, Western Australia, 1990-2000 (April 2001)
  • No. 12: Seizure of illicit drugs, Western Australia, 1998-2000 (May 2001)
  • No. 13: Drug related telephone calls, Western Australia, 1986-2000 (June 2001)
  • No. 14: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2000 (July 2001)
  • No. 15: Deaths caused by heroin and other illicit drugs, Western Australia, 1995-2001 (June 2002)
  • No. 16: Drug offences and seizures, Western Australia, 1998-2004 (December 2003)
  • No. 17: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990-2002 (September 2003)
  • No. 18: Distribution of needles & syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2002 (December 2003)
  • No. 19: Distribution of needles & syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2003 (December 2004)
  • No. 20: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990-2003 (January 2005)
  • No. 21: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990-2004 (June 2005)
  • No. 22: Utilisation of treatment services, Western Australia, 1999-2004 (December 2005)
  • No. 23: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2004 (July 2006)
  • No. 24: Drug related offences and seizures, Western Australia, 1998-2005 (June 2006)
  • No. 25: Drug related telephone calls, Western Australia, 1986-2005 (July 2006)
  • No. 26: Summary of illicit drug prevalence, Western Australia, 1995 – 2004 (June 2006)
  • No. 27: Illicit drug related deaths: Western Australia 1995 – 2006 & Australia 1988-2004 (June 2006)
  • No. 28: Drug related psychiatric outpatient mental disorders due to the use of psychoactive drugs (excluding alcohol), Western Australia, 2000-2006 (June 2007)
  • No. 29: Drug related psychiatric inpatient mental disorders due to the use of psychoactive drugs (excluding alcohol), Western Australia, 2000-2006 (June 2007)
  • No. 30: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2005 (January 2007)
  • No. 31: Alcohol prevalence, Western Australia: 1995 – 2004 (June 2007)
  • No. 32: Confirmed deaths caused by opioids, Western Australia, 1995-2004 (May 2008)
  • No. 33: Drug-related convictions, Western Australia, 2002- 2006 (April 2008)
  • No. 34: Drug related telephone calls, Western Australia, 1986-2006 (June 2007)
  • No. 35: Drug related offences and seizures, Western Australia, 1998-2006 (March 2007)
  • No. 36: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990-2005 (June 2007)
  • No. 37: Summary of West Australian results, Australian School Students’ Alcohol & Drug Survey, 2005 (June 2007)
  • No. 38: Indicators of drug abuse: Amphetamine type stimulants (June 2007)
  • No. 39: Confirmed deaths caused by amphetamines, Western Australia, 1997-2004 (May 2008)
  • No. 40: Overview of trends in opioid related mortality, Western Australia 1995-2007 & Australia 1988-2005 [474k] (May 2008)
  • No. 41: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990-2007(May 2008)
  • No. 42: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2006 (May 2008)

Statistical bulletins – Alcohol sales

  • No. 7: Alcohol sales, Western Australia, 1967/1968–1997/1998 (May 2000) [149k]

Statistical bulletins – Utilisation of sobering up centres

  • No. 5: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990 – 1997 [140k]
  • No. 11: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990 – 2000 [161k]
  • No. 17: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990 – 2002 [784k]
  • No. 20: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990 – 2003 [582k
  • No. 21: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990 – 2004 [780k]
  • No. 36: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990 – 2005 [644k]
  • No. 41: Utilisation of sobering up centres, Western Australia, 1990 – 2007 [659k]

Statistical bulletins – Treatment services

  • No. 22: Utilisation of treatment services, Western Australia, 1999 – 2004 [1.2MB]

Statistical bulletins – Distribution of needles and syringes

  • No. 3: Needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1995 [90k]
  • No. 6: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-1997 [103k]
  • No. 14: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2000 [919k]
  • No. 18: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2002 [660k]
  • No. 19: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2003 [585k]
  • No. 23: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2004 [718k]
  • No. 30: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2005 [658k]
  • No. 42: Distribution of needles and syringes, Western Australia, 1987-2006 [635k]

Statistical bulletins – Drug-related telephone calls

  • No. 13: Drug related telephone calls, Western Australia, 1986-2000 [161k]
  • No. 25: Drug related telephone calls, Western Australia, 1986-2005 [650k]
  • No. 34: Drug related telephone calls, Western Australia, 1986-2006 [684k]

Statistical bulletins – Drug-related mortality

  • No. 1: Drug related traffic fatalities in Western Australia [96k]
  • No. 2: Mortality caused by opioids, Western Australia, 1995 [74k]
  • No. 4: Opioid deaths, Western Australia, 1996 [55k
  • No. 8: Accidental heroin related deaths, Western Australia, 1997-1998 [85k]
  • No. 15: Deaths caused by heroin and other illicit drugs, Western Australia, 1995-2001 [433k]
  • No. 27: Illicit drug related deaths: Western Australia 1995 – 2006 & Australia 1988 – 2004 [568k]
  • No. 32: Confirmed deaths caused by opioids, Western Australia, 1995 – 2004 [474k]
  • No. 39: Confirmed deaths caused by amphetamines, Western Australia, 1997 – 2004 [468k]
  • No. 40: Overview of trends in opioid related mortality, Western Australia 1995 – 2007 & Australia 1988 – 2005 [474k]

Statistical bulletins – Drug-related morbidity

  • No. 28: Drug related psychiatric outpatient mental disorders due to the use of psychoactive drugs (excluding alcohol), Western Australia, 2000-2006 [1.0MB]
  • No. 29: Drug related psychiatric inpatient mental disorders due to the use of psychoactive drugs (excluding alcohol), Western Australia, 2000-2006 [1.0MB]

Statistical bulletins – Drug charges and seizures

  • No. 9: Drug offences, Western Australia, 1998-1999 [136k]
  • No. 10: Drug offences, Western Australia, 1998-2000 [105k]
  • No. 12: Seizure of illicit drugs, Western Australia, 1998-2000 [616k]
  • No. 16: Drug offences and seizures, Western Australia, 1998-2004 [438k]
  • No. 24: Drug related offences and seizures, Western Australia, 1998-2005 [892k]
  • No. 33: Drug-related convictions, Western Australia, 2002- 2006 [810k]
  • No. 35: Drug related offences and seizures, Western Australia, 1998-2006 [907k]

Statistical bulletins – Indicators of amphetamine use

  • No. 38: Indicators of drug abuse: Amphetamine type stimulants [969k]

Statistical bulletins – Alcohol and other drug prevalence surveys

  • No. 26: Summary of illicit drug prevalence, Western Australia, 1995 – 2004 [669k]
  • No. 31: Alcohol prevalence, Western Australia: 1995 – 2004 (June 2007) [67k]
  • No. 37: Summary of West Australian results, Australian School Students’ Alcohol & Drug Survey, 2005 [483k]