More people are buying illicit drugs like ecstasy and cocaine on the internet, as prices are now cheaper online than on the street, a new report shows.

According to the Global Drug Survey 2015, the price of ecstasy pills in Australia is now double the global average, so more people are taking to the net to buy the drug and other substances like it.

But British addictions psychiatrist and survey founder Dr Adam Winstock said the safety and quality online drug stores provide is also attractive to buyers.

"Buying things online gives you product range," he said.

"I think there is an opportunity of getting improved quality. I think some people would perceive it as safer and certainly a lot of people say it's safer to buy drugs online. There's less risk of, you know, getting involved in face to face dealing."

Dr Winstock said while the shift to online may attract new buyers, it is mostly existing dealers making the move at present.

"What we're seeing is simply a displacement of people who would otherwise buy drugs on the street," he said.

Australians turning to prescription drugs for cheap high

According to the survey, Australians are among the biggest users of prescription drugs.

"The Americans remain the world leaders in prescription drug use but Australia's not far behind," Dr Winstock said.

But Australians are increasingly misusing prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, and sleeping tablets, Dr Winstock said.

"I think, in part, that's because other sorts of opiate drugs that are available in Australia are really expensive," he said.

"That's the other thing that probably characterises the Australian drug scene more than anything else ... your really expensive drugs."

Dr Winstock said Australia's strict border security meant drugs were more expensive because they were harder to get into the country.

"It's really difficult to get anything into your country," he said.

But the high drug prices in Australia mean many often choose to buy cheaper alternatives, including crystal methamphetamine, or ice.

"The fact that you've got one that's incredibly dangerous [and] is causing havoc for a lot of people's mental health and well being is a bit unfortunate," he said.

"I think the reason Australia will probably be protected from running into serious cocaine problems is because [it costs] about $350 a gram.

"Most people are probably going to think there's better ways they can spend their money."

Third of Australians want to drink less: survey

On a lighter note, while Australia remains one of the top drinking countries in the world, about a third of Australians want to drink less, the survey revealed.

"Certainly I think Aussies drink above their weight [but] about a third of the Australian drinking population that we surveyed wanted to drink less," Dr Winstock said.

"And of course, the people who filled our survey in from Australia were in their late 30s, professional, educated ... people you kind of would think ... might know better."

"But actually they're a bunch of people who are probably really functional and alcohol is part of their life."