The information is also used to make estimates of requirements of some drugs covered by the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. A recent example of the effectiveness of the system in highlighting trends was the detection of a steep rise in the consumption of methadone tablets. It was considered that this could be due to high usage in unauthorized methadone maintenance programmes. Investigation confirmed this assumption and the programmes were thereafter curtailed. There is no doubt that the system is effective in preventing the diversion of drugs from legal sources to the illegal trade.
Immediate attention is focused on events as they happen, and they can be speedily investigated.
The system helps to increase awareness of the need for accurate record keeping by persons who work with dangerous drugs. Data now available have proved of considerable assistance in controlling drug transactions and in fulfilling Australia's obligations under the international drug control treaties.