FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (EDRS/IDRS)

Is this research anonymus?

Yes. At no time will information that can identify you (such as your name) be recorded on the questionnaire. You are also free to use a false name

Is this research legitimate?

Yes. This study is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health 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)

Could I get in trouble for revealing this sort of information?

As part of our requirements for ethical research, we are under obligation to ensure that participation is both confidential and anonymous. For example, that means that we do not reveal personal information about you to others and we do not attach 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 the intention to hurt yourself or another person.

If you disclose specific details about a crime that you witnessed or were involved in (such as date, place, persons involved).

What happens with the information collected?

The de-identified data (i.e. containing no personal details) is kept in a secured database. The only people who can see this data are those who are directly involved with the study or who apply for special permission.

What do I have to do if I participate?

EDRS participants usually contact us either via sms, by email or by calling us. The EDRS coordinator for their state will then ask them a few questions to ensure they are eligible to participate in the study. If they are eligible, the coordinator will then book a time for them to complete the interview. Interviews are 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).

It takes about 1 hour to complete an EDRS interview. Participants are reimbursed $40 for their time and travel expenses.

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 and wellbeing (e.g. sexual health, mental health etc). You do not have to answer anything you are uncomfortable answering. There are no blood, urine or hair samples taken as part of the study.

How is the data used?

Compose a yearly report on drug markets in each state and territory as well as nationally.
Write quarterly bulletins addressing specific topics.
Write research papers which inform the scientific and medical communities.
Provide information sessions to health care providers and law enforcement personnel.
Respond to enquiries about the drug markets (e.g. from the media or from government departments).

Has this research received ethics approval?

Yes. Ethics approval has been received from the University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee: Approval number HREC-15015

How do I get involved?

Contact Callula now!

You can contact Callula via the details below:

Mobile:

Desk phone:

Email: Callula.Sharman@utas.edu.au

Have a question that hasn't been answered? Contact us here.