Illicit Drugs
Other drugs that are commonly associated with the word 'illicit' include ICE, heroin, cocaine, GHB, LSD, methamphetamine and ecstasy. The Northern Territory is involved in a number initiatives that provide valuable research into illicit drugs and services for people affected by illicit drugs.
Illicit and Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting Systems
Each year, the Department, in collaboration with National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) at University of New South Wales, conducts the Illicit Drug Reporting System (IDRS) survey, and the Ecstasy Drug Reporting System (EDRS) survey for the Northern Territory.
National and Jurisdictional reports are available from the NDARC website.
Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative
The Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative (IDDI) is part of the national approach to early intervention and prevention of illicit drug use. This national approach on illicit drug use has been agreed by all Australian States and Territories and has resulted in the police and courts being able to divert drug users to education and assessment or treatment.
The primary objective of the IDDI is to increase incentives within the community for drug users to identify and treat their illicit drug use early. It also aims to decrease the social impact of illicit drug use and to prevent a new generation of drug users from committing drug related crime, thereby leading to safer communities across Australia.
There are two main IDDI funded programs in the Territory:
- The NT Illicit Drug Pre Court Diversion Program (NTIDPCDP), overseen by the Department and NT Police; and
- The Court Referral and Evaluation for Drug Intervention and Treatment Program (CREDIT NT), overseen by the Department of Justice (DoJ).
Legal Medications
Other substances and legal medications often used within the community include caffeine (in coffee, soda drinks and chocolate) and prescriptions drugs i.e. benzodiazepines, methadone, buprenorphine, and antidepressants.
Some chemical names and associated brand names for Benzodiazepines (depressants, or minor tranquilisers): These medications require a prescription from a GP and should be used only as prescribed.
- Diazepam: Vallium or Ducene
- Oxazepam: Alepam, Murelax or Serpax
- Nitrazepam: Alodorm, or Mogadon
- Temazepam: Normison, Euhypnos, or Temaze
- Alprazolam: Xanax
- Flunitrazepam: Rohypnol
Some chemical names and associated brand names for antidepressants: These medications are also prescribed by a GP and should not be ceased without consulting a GP.
- Fluvoxamine: Luvox
- Citalopram: Cipramil
- Paroxetine: Paxil or Aropax
- Sertraline: Zoloft
- Nortriptyline: Aventyl
- Bupropion: Zyban
- Desipramine: Norpramin
- Trazodone: Desyrel
- Phenelzine: Nardil
- Tranylcypromine: Parnate
- Bupropion hydrochloride: Wellbutrin or Zyban
- Mirtazapine: Avanza
- Desyrel: Trazodone
- Serzone: Serzone
- Venlafaxine: Efexor
In the Northern Territory prescribing and supply of Schedule 8 medicines is controlled by the Poisons & Dangerous Drugs Act & Regulations. For further information please contact Poisons Control.
The Australian Drug Information Network (ADIN)
ADIN provides a central point of access to quality Internet-based alcohol and drug information provided by prominent organisations in Australia and Internationally. Information on both licit and illict drugs can be located on the ADIN website.