One in four people who responded to an annual nationwide drug survey had used pharmaceuticals for recreational or non-medical reasons.
The 2024 New Zealand Drugs Trends Survey (NZDTS) surveyed 10,781 people — and 27% of them reported non-medical use of pharmaceuticals in the previous six months.
That’s according to a statement from Massey University, which conducted the research.
Dr Robin van der Sanden of the New Zealand Drugs Research Team said: “Non-medical use of pharmaceuticals is a complex issue as it can describe people using pharmaceuticals for recreational reasons, or those using them in ways they weren’t directed to by a health professional.
“It also applies to people who are using a pharmaceutical like tramadol for pain relief, which is what tramadol is prescribed for, only the tramadol wasn’t prescribed to them personally.”
The most commonly cited reasons for non-prescribed and recreational use of pharmaceuticals were pain relief, sleep or relaxation — and to get high/have fun, van der Sanden said.
The survey also found non-medical pharmaceutical use is often much higher among people who regularly use illegal drugs.
‘Study drugs’ for students
While rates of non-medical use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines/sedatives were “fairly similar” nationwide, that wasn’t the case for every category.
Non-medical use of ADHD medications was “slightly higher” in Wellington and Otago.
“Internationally, there’s evidence linking student populations to non-medical use of stimulant medications like Ritalin, which are sometimes referred to as ‘study drugs’.
“There’s also some evidence that among people who regularly use MDMA, rates of recreational ADHD medication use might also be higher. NZDTS findings previously released show that these regions also have high rates of MDMA use,” van der Sanden said.
“Of respondents reporting recent non-medical use, over half (55%) had been gifted pharmaceuticals from friends, and 43% had obtained them via their own prescriptions.
“Only a minority (8%) had purchased them from a drug dealer.”
The survey took place between February 20 and July 3 this year.
