WA news LIVE: Wastewater survey reveals WA tops nation for meth use
The latest report from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has revealed an estimated 1716.4 kilograms of methamphetamine was consumed in WA during year 8 of the commission's National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program.
'In August 2024, Perth had the highest estimated average capital city consumption of methylamphetamine, while Western Australia had the highest average regional consumption,' the report read.
There were notable increases in MDMA use in most jurisdictions, but particularly the Northern Territory (92 per cent) and Western Australia (65 per cent).
And regional parts of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and South Australia all recorded cannabis consumption levels well above the national average.
ACIC chief executive Heather Cook said nationally the wastewater report revealed 22.2 tonnes of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA were consumed from August 2023 to August 2024.
This was a 34 per cent increase from the previous year.
'This combined data strongly indicates a concerning level of market growth, extending beyond the markets for illicit stimulants,' Cook said.
'This challenge can only be met through concerted and coordinated effort under the three pillars of the National Drug Strategy: demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction.'
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