The use of cocaine, MDMA and methylamphetamine is at record levels, with regional Queensland among the biggest users per capita, according to recent water testing.
The latest Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program (NWDMP) report found in December last year the national average consumption for cocaine in capital cities and regional areas was at the highest level since reporting began in August 2016.
It found a site in Sydney had the highest mean cocaine consumption while consumption in some regional parts of the New South Wales and Queensland were also relatively high.
The report, which is based on data collected on 55 percent of the Australian population, also showed the national average of MDMA consumption in capital city and regional sites was at its highest level since August 2020 and it found methylamphetamine use had been growing, particularly in regional areas.
“Consumption has generally been increasing, reaching its highest levels in regional areas of each jurisdiction during the past 2 years,” it stated.
“Regional sites in Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland had well-above average consumption.”
The NWDMP report is based on the analysis of wastewater across the country.
Samples are collected at wastewater treatment plants for one week every 2 months for sites in capital cities and for one week every four months for regional sites.
ACIC states the goal is to acquire data on the population-scale use of substances that cause potential harm, either through addiction, health risks or criminal and anti-social behaviour.
It said the latest NWDMP report compared consumption data from previous reports with results obtained from all sites in December 2023 and capital cities in February this year.
Other results in the report include:
Nicotine:
- Consumption has generally been higher in regional Australia, both in the current reporting period and across the life of the Program.
- Regional consumption of nicotine has been increasing since August 2022 and is now at a record high level.
Alcohol:
- Population weighted average consumption of alcohol in capital cities exceeded regional consumption in December 2023 for the first time since 2018.
- Alcohol consumption has been decreasing in many states and territories, and nationally, over the past 2 years.
MDA:
- MDA excretion remains relatively low nationally and average capital city excretion exceeded that at regional sites in December 2023.
Oxycodone and fentanyl:
- The average consumption of both drugs is higher in regional Australia.
- National average oxycodone and fentanyl consumption has been relatively steady over the last year.
Heroin:
- Overall consumption remains relatively steady and is substantially higher in capital cities than in regional areas.
- Many sites, particularly in regional areas, had levels below the detection limits.
Cannabis:
- Consumption is substantially higher on average in regional areas than in capital cities.
- Several capital cities have reached their lowest levels of cannabis consumption in the past 2 years.
- National average consumption estimates have been relatively stable over the past year.
Ketamine:
- Average ketamine excretion is higher in the capital cities.
- Average excretion in capital cities has increased since August 2023
