Key Points
- Wastewater testing has shown an increase in the consumption of illicit drugs in Australia.
- The testing found a 19 per cent surge in cocaine consumption and a 17 per cent rise in the use of methylamphetamine.
- More than 16.5 tonnes of methylamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA combined were taken in the year to August 2023.
Illicit drug use has surged in Australia, with more than 16.5 tonnes of methylamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA combined consumed in a year, according to a new wastewater report.
Testing conducted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission showed a 17 per cent increase in the use of these drugs from August 2022 to August 2023.
Australians spent an estimated $12.4 billion on methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin during that time.
At the state and territory level, methylamphetamine consumption increased in all jurisdictions.
Cocaine use increased in all jurisdictions apart from Tasmania, where it decreased by 16 per cent.
MDMA use decreased by 38 per cent in the Northern Territory, but increased in all other states and territories.
Heroin consumption decreased in all jurisdictions apart from the ACT, where it increased by 31 per cent.
Criminal Intelligence Commission chief executive Heather Cook said the rise in methylamphetamine consumption was particularly worrying, with the drug now costing Australian an estimated street value of $10.5 billion per year.
"The 1.5 tonne increase in national methylamphetamine consumption is concerning, because of the significant community harms it causes," she said.
Regional alcohol, nicotine, MDMA, methylamphetamine, oxycodone, fentanyl and cannabis average consumption exceeded capital city consumption.
People in capital cities consumed the most cocaine, heroin, MDA and ketamine.
Alcohol consumption has been declining in many states and territories, and nationally, over the past 2 years, while levels of nicotine consumption did not appear to substantially increase or decrease.
