Statistical data on the prevalence of volatile substance use (VSU) is known to be inadequate due to difficulties capturing accurate VSU-data¹. [Reference: d’Abbs P, Maclean S (2008) Volatile substance misuse: a review of interventions. (Monograph Series No. 65) Barton, ACT: Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing].

As VSU is not a criminal offence, presentations to the criminal justice system that may be related to VSU are often not recorded as such i.e. theft, break and enter or vandalism. Similarly, deaths and hospitalisations are often attributed to, and therefore recorded as, other conditions or presentations, i.e. the outcome of VSU rather than the VSU itself.

While the prevalence of VSU is low compared to the use of other substances such as alcohol and cannabis, VSU can be highly visible and have a significant impact on service providers and communities.

Surveys about alcohol and other drug (AOD) prevalence often have limitations in capturing VSU data. 

For example:

• Household surveys do not consistently report on those younger than 14 years and do not capture those who are homeless, incarcerated, or in special accommodation. They also only capture small numbers of people in remote locations and those with English as a second language.
• School student surveys are representative of only young people engaged within the school system.

Survey responses of young people may also be influenced by factors including the presence of parents for household surveys, or teachers for school student surveys. Similarly, as age increases, self-reporting may exclude VSU due to age-related factors such as stigma and more recent experience or knowledge of other substances.

It is important to consider the above points when reviewing the available VSU-related data on the Statistics page of this website.