According to the most recent wastewater analysis, Australians consumed an astonishing 22.2 tonnes of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA during the 12 months ending in August 2024, marking a 34%t rise from the previous year.
It underscores Australia’s reputation as one of the biggest consumers of methamphetamine per capita anywhere on Earth.
Methamphetamine constituted 12.8 tonnes of the total, a 21% increase on the previous period and the largest amount ever observed by the national surveillance system, established in 2016.
There was also a dramatic 69% increase in cocaine consumption, a 49% increase in MDMA use, and a 14% increase in heroin.
It is the first time that all three substances had simultaneously registered record highs within the system’s operating period.
With a combined estimated street value of $11.5 billion, methamphetamine accounts for about 78% of the total, equating to roughly $8.9 billion.
The 2.2 tonne rise in national meth use is very disturbing,” ACIC chief executive Heather Cook said.
The drug had caused considerable harm to the community, she said, and cocaine had also reached the highest annual level on record in the wastewater data.
Crisis marked by regional splits
Average consumption of cocaine, MDMA, heroin and ketamine was higher in capital cities, while regional areas continued to have high levels of methamphetamine and cannabis use.
Cannabis is still the most widely used illegal substance in the nation, especially in non major cities and regions.
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The biggest increase in the use of meth, cocaine, and MDMA was seen in the Northern Territory, whereas the biggest spike in heroin use was observed in Tasmania.
Western Australia has always been recognized as the hotspot for methamphetamine addiction in the country, where Perth is named as the city with the highest proportion of meth use.
The number of doses ingested by people on daily basis in Perth is approximately 70 doses per thousand population as determined from wastewater analysis.
In the latest available international comparison among 30 countries, Australia took second place for meth per capita use.
The ACIC modelling suggests that methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA use will likely continue to increase until 2027 but probably not at the same rate as seen in the last reporting period.
By contrast, heroin markets are expected to be largely unchanged.
Cook highlighted the need for a collaborative effort in addressing the challenge, which involves the three strategic pillars of the National Drug Strategy: reducing demand, supply reduction and harm minimisation.
According to her, wastewater surveillance is a crucial source of information that assists in identifying drug markets and allocating resources for appropriate action.
The survey reveals that almost half of Australians aged 14 years and above have ever consumed an illicit drug, including the misuse of pharmaceuticals, while almost one out of five individuals used illicit drugs in the last 12 months.
