Australian authorities have reported an alarming rise in drug consumption, hitting record highs in the usage of dangerous substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. This revelation comes from the latest wastewater analysis conducted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), which underscores a growing public health crisis.
Key Facts
- Australians consumed illicit drugs with a street value of approximately 11.5 billion Australian dollars ($7.5 billion) from August 2023 to August 2024.
- The annual national drug consumption saw a 34% increase compared to the previous year.
- Methamphetamine consumption alone accounted for 78% of the total estimated street value.
Record Increases in Drug Use
The ACIC’s report disclosed that between August 2023 and August 2024, Australians consumed an estimated 22.2 tonnes of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and MDMA. This marks a 34 percent increase from the previous year, with specific increases noted across various drugs: cocaine use rose by 69 percent, MDMA by 49 percent, methamphetamine by 21 percent, and heroin by 14 percent.
Background on Wastewater Analysis
Wastewater analysis involves testing sewage for traces of drugs to estimate the level of drug consumption within a population. This method provides a non-invasive way to gather data on drug use across vast areas and has been a critical tool for monitoring public health related to drug consumption. The recent data was collected from various sites including Australia’s capital cities and regional areas, covering approximately 57 percent of the population.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Drug Markets
According to the ACIC report, the increase in drug consumption reflects the “recovery of these illicit drug markets following the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.” The report notes that both transnational and domestic crime groups have “rapidly re-established and expanded their operations” post-pandemic, exploiting the high demand for illicit drugs in Australia.
Official Reactions
ACIC Chief Heather Cook expressed concern over the surge in drug use, particularly highlighting the dangers posed by methamphetamine, which has seen the highest annual level of consumption recorded by the program. “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,” Cook stated. She also noted similarly alarming increases in cocaine consumption, reaching new annual highs.
Regional Variations and Projections
While cannabis remains the most consumed illicit drug in Australia, with higher average consumption in regional areas, capital cities recorded higher levels of cocaine, MDMA, heroin, and ketamine use. The Northern Territory saw the most significant increases in meth, cocaine, and MDMA use, while Tasmania recorded the largest increase in heroin consumption. The ACIC’s data modeling suggests that the increases in meth, cocaine, and MDMA consumption are likely to continue rising through to 2027.
As Australia grapples with these escalating drug issues, the findings from the ACIC’s wastewater analysis serve as a crucial indicator of the health challenges and societal impacts posed by illicit drug consumption nationwide.