Latest wastewater report reveals Australians consumed 22 tonnes of illicit drugs over one year

News.com.au

3 days ago

The latest wastewater report has revealed Australians consumed more than 20 tonnes of illicit drugs worth billions of dollars over one year.
The report, released by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), found 22.2 tonnes of methylamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA worth an estimated $11.5bn were used by Australians between August 2023 to August 2024.
Authorities found cocaine use had risen 69 per cent from the previous year, MDMA use rose 49 per cent, meth use 21 per cent and heroin use rose by 14 per cent.
The dramatic rise in drug use was attributed to the recovery of the illicit drug market following Covid-19 restrictions as organised crime groups quickly re-established and expanded their operations to supply markets.
ACIC chief executive officer Heather Cook said serious and organised crime remained an enduring threat to Australia's national security and safety.
'Serious and organised crime groups exploit Australia's high demand for illicit drugs and are focused on maximising profit at the expense of the community's security and wellbeing,' she said.
'The 2.2 tonne increase in national meth consumption is concerning because 12.8 tonnes is the highest annual level recorded by the program and the drug causes significant community harm.
'Similarly, there has been a large increase in national cocaine consumption, also to the highest annual level recorded by our wastewater program.'
Record high meth, MDA and ketamine consumption was detected in capital cities and record high heroin use was found in regional areas.
The average regional consumption of alcohol, nicotine, MDA, methylamphetamine, oxycodone, fentanyl and cannabis exceeded capital city consumption.
Ms Cook said wastewater data combined with other drugs-related information helped authorities develop a comprehensive understanding of illicit drug markets.
'This combined data strongly indicates a concerning level of market growth, extending beyond the markets for illicit stimulants,' she said.
'This challenge can only be met though concerted and co-ordinated effort under the three pillars of the National Drug Strategy: demand reduction, supply reduction and harm reduction.'
The report found the Northern Territory consumed nicotine and alcohol at rates above the national average.
Regional sites South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria had the highest average meth consumption.
Adelaide and Perth were the capital cities with the highest meth use, while the highest cocaine use was recorded in Sydney.
For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015.