Yvonne Bonomo1, Amanda Norman1, Sam Biondo2, Raimondo Bruno3, Mark Daglish4, Sharon Dawe5, Diana Egerton-Warburton6, Jonathan Karro7, Charles Kim8, Simon Lenton9, Dan I Lubman10, Adam Pastor1, Jill Rundle11, John Ryan12, Paul Gordon13, Patrick Sharry14, David Nutt15, David Castle16. 1. 1 Department of Addiction Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 2. 2 Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA), Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 3. 3 School of Medicine (Psychology), University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia. 4. 4 Alcohol and Drug Service, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. 5. 5 School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. 6. 6 Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 7. 7 Emergency Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 8. 8 Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Management, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 9. 9 National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia. 10. 10 Turning Point, Eastern Health and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 11. 11 Western Australian Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies, Perth, WA, Australia. 12. 12 Penington Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 13. 13 Catalyze APAC, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 14. 14 Australian Graduate School of Management, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. 15. 15 Imperial College London, London, UK. 16. 16 Mental Health, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of the current study was to review drug harms as they occur in Australia using the Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology adopted in earlier studies in other jurisdictions. METHOD: A facilitated workshop with 25 experts from across Australia, was held to score 22 drugs on 16 criteria: 9 related to harms that a drug produces in the individual and 7 to harms to others. Participants were guided by facilitators through the methodology and principles of MCDA. In open discussion, each drug was scored on each criterion. The criteria were then weighted using a process of swing weighting. Scoring was captured in MCDA software tool. RESULTS: MCDA modelling showed the most harmful substances to users were fentanyls (part score 50), heroin (part score 45) and crystal methamphetamine (part score 42). The most harmful substances to others were alcohol (part score 41), crystal methamphetamine (part score 24) and cigarettes/tobacco (part score 14). Overall, alcohol was the most harmful drug when harm to users and harm to others was combined. A supplementary analysis took into consideration the prevalence of each substance in Australia. Alcohol was again ranked the most harmful substance overall, followed by cigarettes, crystal methamphetamine, cannabis, heroin and pharmaceutical opioids. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study make an important contribution to the emerging international picture of drug harms. They highlight the persistent and pervasive harms caused by alcohol. Policy implications and recommendations are discussed. Policies to reduce harm from alcohol and methamphetamine should be a priority.
BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of the current study was to review drug harms as they occur in Australia using the Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methodology adopted in earlier studies in other jurisdictions. METHOD: A facilitated workshop with 25 experts from across Australia, was held to score 22 drugs on 16 criteria: 9 related to harms that a drug produces in the individual and 7 to harms to others. Participants were guided by facilitators through the methodology and principles of MCDA. In open discussion, each drug was scored on each criterion. The criteria were then weighted using a process of swing weighting. Scoring was captured in MCDA software tool. RESULTS:MCDA modelling showed the most harmful substances to users were fentanyls (part score 50), heroin (part score 45) and crystal methamphetamine (part score 42). The most harmful substances to others were alcohol (part score 41), crystal methamphetamine (part score 24) and cigarettes/tobacco (part score 14). Overall, alcohol was the most harmful drug when harm to users and harm to others was combined. A supplementary analysis took into consideration the prevalence of each substance in Australia. Alcohol was again ranked the most harmful substance overall, followed by cigarettes, crystal methamphetamine, cannabis, heroin and pharmaceutical opioids. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study make an important contribution to the emerging international picture of drug harms. They highlight the persistent and pervasive harms caused by alcohol. Policy implications and recommendations are discussed. Policies to reduce harm from alcohol and methamphetamine should be a priority.
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