The most devastating drug-related harm to the community is the death toll. Drug use is a factor in about one in five of all deaths in Australia. In 2000 there were approximately 5,000 deaths attributed to drug use - corresponding to 88,400 years of life lost. Of these total years lost through premature death, more than 60% were associated with tobacco use, 20% with alcohol use and 17% with the use of illicit drugs. The economic costs of drug abuse nationally in 1998-9 were estimated to be $34 billion per annum.

There are a range of harms that can result from excessive or inappropriate use of psychoactive substances. Loss of life is one extreme and tragic possibility. Negative health effects, family and social problems, psychological and emotional difficulties, legal and financial problems are more common experiences. It should be kept in mind that many people start, and continue, to use drugs to find relief or escape from these types of problems.

There is a prevailing community fear that if a person uses drugs they will become dependent or 'addicted'. No drug leads to an immediate physical or psychological dependence. However, drug-related harm can happen at all levels of use, including experimental, recreational and dependent use.