Latest news with #NationalWastewaterDrugMonitoringProgram
Sky News AU
13 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Alarming rise in cocaine and meth use as data reveals Australia's growing drug problem
Australia is facing a steep rise in illegal drug consumption, with new data revealing the nation's appetite for substances like cocaine and methamphetamine has soared to record levels over the past year. According to the latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, Australians consumed a staggering 22.2 tonnes of meth, cocaine, heroin and MDMA between August 2023 and August 2024, an increase of 34 per cent compared to the year before. The findings represent the highest volumes recorded since testing began and have reignited concerns about the country's ongoing battle with illicit drugs. Cocaine recorded the sharpest jump, with consumption up 69 per cent nationally. Methamphetamine followed with a 21 per cent rise, while MDMA rose by 49 per cent and heroin by 14 per cent. The estimated street value of the four drugs sits at $11.5 billion, with meth alone accounting for $8.9 billion — or 78 per cent of the total. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), which compiled the report, said the spike is partly driven by a resurgence in the drug trade following the end of pandemic-related border restrictions. 'This increase reflects, in part, the recovery of these illicit drug markets following the impact of COVID-19 restrictions,' ACIC CEO Heather Cook told ABC. 'Transnational and domestic serious and organised crime groups have rapidly re-established and expanded their operations, taking advantage of increased demand and evolving trafficking methods to supply these highly profitable markets.' The report shows the Northern Territory recorded the highest increase in meth, cocaine and MDMA use, while Tasmania topped the country for the biggest rise in heroin consumption. Across the board, drug use rose in every state and territory, with notable cocaine increases in Victoria (90pc), Queensland (99pc), Tasmania (107pc), and South Australia (82pc). In New South Wales, already the country's largest cocaine market, users consumed an additional 850.9 kilograms, bringing the total to nearly 2.8 tonnes, a 44 per cent year-on-year increase. While the ACIC acknowledges the efforts of law enforcement agencies to seize drugs and disrupt supply chains, the data has raised questions about the country's broader drug strategy. '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,' Ms Cook said. 'Similarly, there has been a large increase in national cocaine consumption, also to the highest annual level recorded by our wastewater program.' Cannabis remains the most consumed illicit drug in Australia, with use notably higher in regional areas. Meanwhile, alcohol and nicotine remain the most widely used legal substances. Nicotine use has dropped, but alcohol consumption continues to climb. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia's situation was 'in line with comparable economies around the world,' adding that law enforcement agencies were intercepting more drugs than were making it to the streets. 'What is unusual about Australia is the incredible work of our agencies who are stopping more illegal drugs than are making it over the border,' Mr Burke told the Daily Telegraph. 'This is preventing a huge amount of harm, including sparing our community from the extent of the opioid crisis that we have seen in so many other countries.' The ACIC's principal drugs specialist Shane Neilson rejected the idea that the spike in consumption signalled a failure in border control. 'It reflects (the) reality in an environment where transnational trade is a huge component of the legitimate supply chain in Australia,' he said. He said criminal syndicates abroad are producing and shipping record amounts of drugs, knowing that even a partial success in getting shipments through yields enormous profits. In the past year, the Australian Federal Police has seized 38.6 tonnes of illicit drugs and drug precursors, surpassing the estimated amount consumed, but authorities say the challenge is far from over. ACIC modelling suggests that meth, cocaine and MDMA consumption is likely to continue rising until at least 2027, though not necessarily at the same pace. Heroin use, however, is expected to remain steady over the next two years.
Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
WA news LIVE: Wastewater survey reveals WA tops nation for meth use
Western Australia has recorded the highest average levels of methamphetamine consumption at both a city and regional level, according to new data shining a light on the nation's drug 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.'
The Age
13 hours ago
- The Age
WA news LIVE: Wastewater survey reveals WA tops nation for meth use
Western Australia has recorded the highest average levels of methamphetamine consumption at both a city and regional level, according to new data shining a light on the nation's drug 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.'
ABC News
14 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Australia's meth, cocaine, MDMA and heroin consumption up by 34 per cent
Australians consumed 34 per cent more methylamphetamine (meth), cocaine, heroin and MDMA in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the latest wastewater survey. The annual National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program shows Australians consumed 22.2 tonnes of the four drugs between August 2023 and 2024. The combined drugs had an estimated street value of $11.5 billion, with meth accounting for $8.9 billion, or 78 per cent. The annual survey covered 57 per cent of the country and monitored for: Alcohol and nicotine remained the most consumed lawful drugs in the latest findings. While alcohol consumption has increased, nicotine consumption has decreased. Cannabis also remained the most consumed illicit drug, with higher consumption in regional areas compared to capital cities. Capital cities had higher average consumption of cocaine, MDMA, heroin and ketamine than regional areas. Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) CEO Heather Cook said serious and organised crime remains an enduring threat to Australia's national security and safety. "This increase reflects, in part, the recovery of these illicit drug markets following the impact of COVID-19 restrictions," she said. Cocaine had the highest increase in consumption at 69 per cent, followed by MDMA at 49 per cent, meth at 21 per cent and heroin at 14 per cent. "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," Ms Cook said. "Similarly, there has been a large increase in national cocaine consumption, also to the highest annual level recorded by our wastewater program." Heroin also had the highest annual level of consumption. Drug consumption has increased across all states and territories. According to the report, the Northern Territory has seen the highest increase in meth, cocaine and MDMA consumption, while Tasmania had the highest increase in heroin use. ACIC data modelling suggests the increases in drug consumption for meth, cocaine and MDMA are likely to continue to 2027, though most likely not at the same rate seen last year. It also suggests heroin consumption is unlikely to change significantly in the next two years.
