Our Data Sources: Trustworthy Research & Verified Studies
At the core of our advocacy lies accurate and transparent data, all drawn from highly reputable sources. Below, you’ll find links to all the key research papers, government reports, and academic studies that underpin the statistics and arguments presented throughout our campaigns.
We believe in full transparency, and we encourage you to explore these sources to understand the depth of the evidence behind our cause. Whether it’s tracking the real impact of marijuana legalization, analyzing the outcomes of drug testing booths at festivals, or reviewing the effectiveness of harm reduction policies—these studies provide the solid foundation for every claim we make.
The Research
DRUG INDUCED DEATHS APRIL 2021 BULLETIN
The bulletin reports on all drug-induced deaths (i.e., deaths directly attributable to drug use) in Australia from 1997 to 2019. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) were accessed from the Cause of Death Unit Record File (COD URF) though the Australian Coordinating Registry (ACR) and analysed in consultation with the ABS.
CONSTANT INCREASES IN DRUG-RELATED DEATHS UNDER AUSTRALIAN HARM REDUCTION POLICY
This document demonstrates that Australia’s introduction of Harm Reduction interventions under its ‘Harm Minimisation’ drug policy consistently correlated with sharp increases in drug- related deaths from all illicit drug types. In the absence of viable confounders this suggests a causal relationship between Harm Reduction policies and increased harm and mortality.
Drug Policy in Focus: A Statistical Overview
This document presents a curated selection of key statistics and insights regarding drug policy debates. Drawing from a variety of reputable studies and reports, it offers a focused summary of the most impactful data on topics such as marijuana legalization, harm reduction strategies, safe injecting rooms, and drug testing booths. Designed to support evidence-based discussions, this document distills complex research into clear, actionable insights that are critical for understanding the ongoing debates in drug policy.
Other Supporting Documents
Cannabis Legalisation
230%, 306%, Youths | The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact - Vol: 6, 2019 (RMHIDTA-Vol-6-9_2019) | Download file | Source
410% | The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact - Vol: 8, 2021 (RMHIDTA-Marijuana-Report-2021) | Download file | Source
200%, 164% | The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact - Vol: 7, 2020 (RMHIDTA-Marijuana-Report-2020) | Download file | Source
Injecting Rooms
No significant public health improvements | No reduction in emergency room presentations | Only a minority referred
NSW Health Further evaluation of the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre during its extended Trial period (2007-2011) Final report 14 September 2010 v1.1 (msic-kpmg) | Download file | Source
Review of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room Medically Supervised Injecting Room Review Panel, June 2020 | Download file | Source
63x | NSW Health Further evaluation of the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre during its extended Trial period (2007-2011) Final report 14 September 2010 v1.1 (msic-kpmg) | Download file | Source
50% Higher | The impact of a supervised injecting facility on ambulance call-outs in Sydney, Australia | Source
Further explained in | The Case for Closure Injecting Room 2017 UPDATE | Download file | Source
102x higher | Review of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room Medically Supervised Injecting Room Review Panel, June 2020 | Download file | Source
Further Context and Calculations | NSW & VICTORIAN INJECTING ROOMS | Download file | Source
Pill Testing
214% | Number of drug-related deaths due to MDMA/ecstasy use in England and Wales from 1993 to 2022 | Source
Pill testing introduced 2013 in UK | On-site Drug Safety Testing | Source
Expanded to 12 sites 2016 | Multi Agency Safety Testing (MAST) | Source
48%, 14%, 29% | MDMA-related deaths in Australia 2000 to 2018 | Source
Harm Reduction Policies
Deaths increased 2007 – 2017 | Drug-induced deaths 1997-2019 | Download file | Source
59% Increase | Refuting False Claims for Portugal and Decriminalisation - the Evidence | Download file | Source
350-1,116
Medical Journal of Australia - 1999 - Hall - Opioid overdose mortality in Australia 1964 1997 birth‐cohort trends | Download file | Source
Drug Induced Deaths April 2021 Bulletin | Download file | Source
250% | PEN Annual Overdose Report 2023 FINAL | Download file | Source
Top graph 1985 - Present | All of the above sources