Onset and lifetime use of drugs in New Zealand: results from Te Rau Hinengaro: the New Zealand Mental Health Survey 2003-2004.

Introduction And Aims: Onset and lifetime use of drugs have not previously been reported for all adult ages in New Zealand. This paper reports such results and, for people born in New Zealand, compares age of onset across ethnic groups.

Design And Methods: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2003-2004, with oversampling of Māori and Pacific people.