Australians are now using record amounts of cocaine and meth, a worrying new report has found
Australians are imbibing cocaine and methylamphetamine at alarming levels, a new report has found, with consumption of the illicit drug class now at its highest level since 2020.
A wastewater analysis conducted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission shows Australians consumed about 40 doses of meth per 1000 people across the country in April and June this year, a significant increase on 2020 but lower than consumption levels that were recorded pre-Covid.
“While methylamphetamine consumption is currently at high levels compared to the past two years, levels in the context of the program are still largely below historical highs,” the report said.
For cocaine, Australians consumed around six doses per 1000 people, an increase from previous periods despite month-to-month fluctuations.
“Compared to the previous reporting period, results are currently higher in every nation’s capital except NSW,” the report said.
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‘Even in that jurisdiction, cocaine use is at a high level.
‘Consumption in regional areas has also increased in the current period, with Tasmania as the only exception.’
The data comes from waste samples collected from 55 wastewater sites across the country, covering 14.1 million Australians, or 55 percent of the population.
Australians living in capital cities consume more meth and cocaine than those in the regions, although levels of meth consumption are about the same in some states.
South Australians consume approximately 1,400mg of meth per 1,000 residents, with consumption rates in the regions similar to those of Adelaide.
In Western Australia, more meth is consumed in regional cities than in Perth.
Unlike meth, cocaine use is highly concentrated in the cities.
In Sydney, Australians consumed 1100mg per 1000 residents, compared to 440mg in regional NSW.
People in Adelaide consumed about 440 mg per 1000 people, compared to about 220 mg per 1000 in the regions.
The report collects data on twelve types of drugs: meth, amphetamines, cocaine, MDMA, MDA, heroin, cannabis, oxycodone, fentanyl, nicotine, alcohol and ketamine.
Australians consumed around 40 doses of meth per 1000 people in April and June this year; for cocaine, Australians consumed about six doses per 1000 people.
Meth use in Australia is generally higher in the capital cities, but some regions match or exceed the capital cities
Australians consume more cannabis than any other class of drug, with around 180 doses per 1000 people per day during the month.
Despite the rise in cocaine and meth use, the report also shows good news: Consumption of fentanyl, a drug that has devastated American cities, is declining.
ACIC acting CEO Matt Rippon said the report highlighted the pervasive and ongoing threat posed by organized crime groups in Australia.
“This reporting is part of a multi-dimensional approach focusing on supply, demand and harm reduction, critical to reducing drug use in Australia,” he said.
‘Drug use estimates derived from wastewater data, when used in combination with other data such as seizure, arrest, price, purity, health and availability data, provide the most comprehensive, evidence-based insights into Australia’s drug markets.’
The ACIC provides intelligence to domestic and international partners to disrupt and dismantle organized drug networks.