Effects of crystal methamphetamine in different contexts

Using (including ice) can have implications for workplace safety. Use can impair concentration, the ability to gauge speed and distance, judgment and coordination. It is not safe to drive, operate machinery, or work in safety sensitive situations when affected by ice.

While the intoxicating effects of ice generally last around 6 hours, workplace safety may be compromised for much longer. The immediate after effects of ice use can include drowsiness, and people may find it difficult to sleep for several days following use. This can result in increased levels of fatigue, poor concentration, and impaired judgement. Longer-term physical and mental health problems associated with regular ice use may also negatively impact on workplace safety and productivity.

The workplace offers an opportunity to help minimise harms associated with ice use. This can be done through manager training, access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), health promotion programs and more.

Driving under the influence of is a serious road safety issue. Even in low doses, methamphetamine (including ice) can impair driving skills and can lead to speeding, erratic driving, high speed collision or increased risk taking behind the wheel. In Australia, it is an to drive, attempt to drive or supervise a learner driver with any illicit drug in your system. For more information refer to Laws about Ice and the factsheet below.

Get the factsheet: Ice and driving, opens a PDF document in a new window

A national 7-year study found that the rate of methamphetamine-related deaths doubled from 2009 to 2015 in Australia (Darket et al. 2017). Motor vehicle accidents were responsible for 9.5% (156) of the total number of methamphetamine-related deaths (1649). It should be noted, however, that other drugs were also present in most cases (e.g. opioids, antidepressants, sedatives and/or alcohol).

Evidence suggests that rates of driving while under the influence of illicit drugs are relatively high among those who regularly use them. In a recent survey of people who inject drugs regularly in Australia (IDRS 2017), 75% of the 888 participants who had recently driven a vehicle reported having driven within three hours of using an illicit drug.  The most commonly reported drug (not including prescription drugs) was ice (43%), followed by heroin (39%) and cannabis (36%).

Darke, S., Kaye, S., and Duflou, J. (2017). Rates, characteristics and circumstances of methamphetamine-related death in Australia: a national 7-year study. Addiction.

See the ‘Ice and Driving’ fact sheet for sources related to effects of ice on driving.