FDS Insight Newsletter Jul-Sep 2020

21 Australian experts fear coronavirus spike in domestic abuse as Global Drug Survey probes users Michael McGowan, The Guardian (5/5/20) he world’s largest independent survey of drug use will include questions about domestic abuse for the first time, as Australian addiction experts warn about the impact of Covid-19 lockdowns on relationships, mental health and substance use. The Global Drug Survey tracks the use and supply of alcohol and illicit drugs around the world by asking people to anonymously answer questions about their personal consumption and purchasing methods. This year’s survey, which opened this week, is seeking to track changes in alcohol and drug use during Covid-19 by asking participants how their consumption has changed as a result of the pandemic. Addiction experts have warned of rising drug and alcohol use at the same time as the virus further restricts access to Australia’s already stretched addiction treatment sector. The sector has reported an increase in the number of people seeking treatment, but most residential rehabilitation centres are unable to take new clients and the two injecting rooms in Sydney and Melbourne have been forced to significantly reduce their capacity. Dr Monica Barrett, a senior research fellow in drug and alcohol addiction at RMIT University and one of the organisers of the GDS, said that while changes in drug and alcohol use would vary by age and circumstance, the survey would look at how Covid-19 lockdowns were affecting substance use and its links to mental health and domestic abuse. ‘We’re really trying to ascertain whether aspects of abuse might be occurring, either as a victim or perpetrator [and] to ask whether this has increased since February to try and understand whether the isolation is feeding into existing controlling or physically abusive relationships people may be a part of,’ she said. The Global Drug Survey includes questions about domestic abuse for the first time as it tracks changes in the use of alcohol and illicit drugs during the coronavirus crisis. Photograph: Brian Jackson/Alamy Stock Photo The survey includes a number of opt-in questions about tensions in relationships before and after Covid- 19, and about behaviours ranging from physical abuse to being stopped from seeing or talking to family or friends, T