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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions about the EDRS

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Researchers at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre would like to invite people who use ecstasy and other stimulants to participate in a one-hour CONFIDENTIAL and ANONYMOUS interview for the Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS). Participants are reimbursed $40 for their time and expenses.

Get involved

If you would like more information orÌýwould like to apply to participate in the study, please send us your name (you can use a false one if you prefer), your telephone number, and/or your email address so we can get back to you.

Remember, this information is CONFIDENTIAL.

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0437 390 190

FAQs

  • Yes. At no time will information that can identify you (such as your name, date of birth or address) be recorded on the questionnaire. You are also free to use aÌýfalse name.

  • Yes. This study is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care and has been conducted in each state and territory in Australia since 2003. It is coordinated nationally by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at UNSW Sydney.

  • We conduct interviews each year with people who regularly use ecstasy and related drugs. In 2024, we conduct interviews either face-to-face or over the phone/via video conferencing.

  • As part of our requirements for ethical research, we are under obligation to ensure that participation is bothÌý³¦´Ç²Ô´Ú¾±»å±ð²Ô³Ù¾±²¹±ôÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýanonymous. For example, that means thatÌýwe do notÌýreveal personal information about you to others ²¹²Ô»åÌýwe do notÌýattach your name or any other personally identifying information to your interview responses. It is important to us to ensure that our participants are treated in a respectful and ethical manner which includes protecting their privacy.

    However, there are certain circumstances in which we need to break our confidentiality. These include:

    • If you reveal theÌýintention to hurtÌýyourself or another person.
    • If youÌýdiscloseÌýspecific detailsÌýabout a crime you witnessed or were involved in (such as date, place, persons involved).

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  • The de-identified data (i.e., containingÌýnoÌýpersonal details) is kept in a secured database. The only people who can see this data are thoseÌýdirectly involved with the study or applying for special permission.

  • EDRS participants usually contact us via SMS, email, or phone. The EDRS coordinator for their state will then ask them, with their consent, a few confidential questions to ensure they are eligible to participate in the study. If they are eligible, the coordinator will book a time to complete the interview. Interviews were sometimes completed on-site at the centre where the study is held and sometimes in other locations which may be more convenient for participants (e.g., in a cafe or at a university campus). Interviews may also be conducted over the telephone or via video conferencing (e.g., Microsoft Teams or Zoom).

    It takes about 1 hour to complete an EDRS interview.ÌýParticipants are reimbursed $40Ìýfor their time and travel expenses. If interviews are conducted face-to-face, participants will be reimbursed with cash. If interviews are conducted over the telephone/videoconference, participants will be reimbursed electronically, either via bank transfer, gift voucher or PayID.

    During the interview, you will be asked questions about your use of drugs and alcohol, the price, purity and availability of drugs and other questions about your health ²¹²Ô»åÌýwell-being (e.g., sexual health, mental health, etc).ÌýYou do not have to answer anything that you are uncomfortable answering. No blood, urine or hair samples were taken as part of the study.

  • The EDRS is a drug market monitoring study which is undertaken each year in every capital city of Australia. The project aims to examineÌýpatterns of useÌýof ecstasy and other related drugs (such as powder methamphetamine, methamphetamine base, crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, GHB, LSD, cocaine etc.); to document theÌýprice, purity and availabilityÌýof these drugs; to look at drug-relatedÌýharmsÌýand to identifyÌýemerging trendsÌýthat require further investigation.

  • The data is used to:

    • Compose a yearly report on drug markets in every capital city as well as nationally;
    • Write regular bulletins addressing specific topics;
    • Write research papers which inform the scientific and medical communities;
    • Present findings at conferences, which comprise a range of stakeholders (e.g., peers, service providers, researchers); and
    • Respond to enquiries about the drug markets (e.g., from the media or from government departments).

Not in QLD but want to get involved?

To get involved you can contact us your preferred way: SMS, call, or email them directly. You must contact the coordinator for the state in which you currently live. You have come to the Queensland page. If you are not in Queensland, click 'contact us' below for information on your state.

Other state key contacts

New South Wales

Find out more about EDRS if you are in New South Wales

Victoria

Find out more about EDRS if you are in Victoria

Australian Capital Territory

Find out more about EDRS if you are in theÌýAustralian Capital Territory

South Australia

Find out more about EDRS if you are in South Australia

Western Australia

Find out more about EDRS if you are in Western Australia

Tasmania

Find out more about EDRS if you are in Tasmania

Northern Territory

Find out more about EDRS if you are in the Northern Territory