Latest news with #wastewateranalysis
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Health
- Al Jazeera
Australian wastewater analysis shows record-high meth, cocaine, heroin use
There has been a sharp rise in drug use among Australians, with cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin consumption all hitting record levels, according to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's (ACIC) latest wastewater analysis. Published on Friday, the ACIC's annual report revealed that Australians consumed an estimated 22.2 tonnes of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA (commonly known as 'ecstasy') between August 2023 and August 2024. This represents a 34 percent increase on the previous year's findings, with marked increases in the consumption of cocaine (69 percent), MDMA (49 percent), methamphetamine (21 percent), and heroin (14 percent). The drugs had a combined estimated street value of 11.5 billion Australian dollars (about $7.5bn), according to the ACIC. Meth alone accounted for 8.9 billion Australian dollars (about $5.8bn) – or 78 percent – of that total. Wastewater analysis, the process of testing sewage water for contaminants, is a widely used tool to measure drug use within national populations. The data was collected from Australia's capital cities and regional sites, covering some 57 percent of the country. The increase in drug consumption reflects the 'recovery of these illicit drug markets following the impact of COVID-19 restrictions', the ACIC report said. It added that 'transnational and domestic serious and organised crime groups have rapidly re-established and expanded their operations' following the pandemic. ACIC chief Heather Cook said crime groups are exploiting high demand for illicit drugs in Australia, where they are 'maximising profit at the expense of the community's security and wellbeing'. 'The 2.2 tonne increase in national meth consumption is concerning because 12.8 tonnes is the highest annual level recorded by the programme and the drug causes significant community harm,' she said. 'Similarly, there has been a large increase in national cocaine consumption, also to the highest annual level recorded by our wastewater programme,' Cook added. Wastewater was also tested for alcohol and nicotine – which remained the most consumed lawful drugs – as well as cannabis and ketamine. Cannabis remained the most consumed illicit drug among Australians, with higher average consumption in regional areas than in capital cities. Capital cities, however, recorded higher consumption of cocaine, MDMA, heroin and ketamine. The Northern Territory saw the highest increase in meth, cocaine and MDMA consumption, according to the report, while Tasmania recorded the highest increase in heroin. The increases in meth, cocaine and MDMA consumption are likely to continue up to 2027, according to ACIC data modelling.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Aussies' demand for illicit drugs SOARS - fuelling profits for crime gangs
Australia's 'insatiable appetite' for illicit drugs has reached record heights, with a total of $11.5billion spent by Australians on the substances in one year. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission has revealed a surge in consumption of major illicit drugs after publishing its analysis of national wastewater this week. It said overall drug consumption in Australia has hit pre-COVID levels, with 22.2 tonnes of ice, cocaine, heroin and MDMA consumed during the 12 months. Ice consumption rose to an estimated 12.8 tonnes, the test results revealed. Cocaine use increased almost 70 per cent, MDMA almost 50 per cent, and heroin almost 15 per cent. The commission also said the increase in use has boosted the illicit drug trade and profits for organised criminals, with an estimated $11.5 billion being spent. Australian Federal Police Crime Command's Assistant Commissioner Hans Koenderink said the rate at which Australians are consuming illicit drugs is a 'serious concern'. 'Australia's insatiable appetite for drugs is a serious concern, and the entire community needs to work together to examine how we can combat issues associated with demand,' he told The Daily Telegraph. Mr Koenderink said officers had seized 38.6 tonnes of illicit drugs and drug-making chemicals – outweighing the amount consumed across the country in the same 12 months. Opposition home affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie has labelled the findings as 'damning'. He claimed the report proved the Labor government had 'failed to stem the flow of illicit drugs ravaging our communities'. However, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke argued the increase in drug consumption was 'in line' with similar economies worldwide. He praised Australian authorities for their efforts in stopping illicit drugs from entering the country. '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,' Burke said. '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.' ACIC's drug specialist Shane Neilson said the country's drug market was booming due to a consumer base that is willing and able to pay higher prices than those in other global markets. Pictured, the August 2025 National Wastewater drug monitoring program report showing usage data for each state and territory Organised crime groups are also thought to be fuelling a rise in illicit tobacco. However, while nicotine consumption reversed a decline in the second half of 2024, it is impossible to determine how much of it was bought on the black market. Forensic analysts also believe the majority of the general anaesthetic being consumed is imported and illicit, with the drug's use in medical and veterinary settings less prevalent. It's the same for cannabis, despite thousands of people being medically prescribed. 'Although the number of users of medicinal cannabis is increasing, it's small relative to the overall use of cannabis,' Mr Neilson said. An estimated one in five, or 3.9million, Australians have used illicit drugs in the past 12 months, according to the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey. The survey also suggests nearly one in two Australians aged 14 and over – 10.2million people – have illicitly used a drug at some point in their lifetime.
SBS Australia
2 days ago
- SBS Australia
Australians are using 'ice', cocaine and heroin at record levels
Wastewater analysis has shown significant growth in the consumption of illicit drugs in Australia. Methylamphetamine (ice), cocaine and heroin were all found at record highs. It has boosted the illicit drug trade, with an estimated $11.5 billion being spent. Australia's insatiable appetite for illicit drugs is fuelling demand from international crime groups and drug dealers cashing in on the lucrative market. Analysis of wastewater by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, in partnership with universities, detected a growth in consumption of major illicit drugs around the nation. Methylamphetamine (ice), cocaine and heroin were all found at record highs in the latest analysis, which began in 2016. More than 22 tonnes of those three drugs, as well as MDMA (ecstasy), was consumed in Australia in the year to August 2024, according to the wastewater analysis. It has boosted the illicit drug trade and the profits for organised criminals, with an estimated $11.5 billion being spent. Cocaine use increased almost 70 per cent, MDMA almost 50 per cent, and heroin almost 15 per cent. The commission's drug specialist Shane Neilson said the market was rebounding after consumption dropped amid tighter border controls and lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Large profits from a consumer base willing and able to pay higher prices than other global markets are driving the business. Drug traffickers will throw tonnes of product at Australia's borders, knowing whatever gets through will make enough money to outweigh losses from seizures, some of which outweigh total detected annual consumption, Neilson said. "It's just a relentless determination of transnational and domestic serious and organised crime groups to continue to supply the Australian market," he said. Organised crime groups are also thought to be fuelling a rise in illicit tobacco, but while nicotine consumption reversed a decline in the second half of 2024, it's impossible to determine what proportion of it was obtained on the black market. Ketamine use is also on the rise. Forensic analysts believe the majority of the general anaesthetic being consumed is imported and illicit, with the drug's use in medical and veterinary settings less prevalent. It's the same for cannabis, despite thousands of people being medically prescribed. "Although the number of users of medicinal cannabis is increasing, it's small relative to the overall use of cannabis," Neilson said. The nation's multi-billion-dollar splurge on illicit drugs sends profits solely to organised criminals, the crime commission said. "There is no taxation on these profits and economically it does have an impact," Neilson said. The latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey suggests nearly one in two Australians aged 14 and over (10.2 million people) had illicitly used a drug at some point in their lifetime, including the non-medical use of pharmaceuticals. An estimated one in five (3.9 million) used in the past 12 months.
