Testing shows use of illicit drugs jumps over summer

Rachael Ward |

Wastewater analysis shows methylamphetamine is one of the drugs that has increased in popularity.
Wastewater analysis shows methylamphetamine is one of the drugs that has increased in popularity.

WASTEWATER DRUG RESULTS  

Illicit drug use jumped over summer, according to wastewater testing from December 2022 to February 2023.

The results are contained in the latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring report.

Sites tested cover about 55 per cent of the Australian population.

DRUGS THAT INCREASED IN POPULARITY

* Methylamphetamine

* Cocaine

* Fentanyl

* MDMA

* MDA 

* Ketamine 

DRUGS THAT DECLINED IN POPULARITY

* Heroin

* Oxycodone 

* Cannabis

OTHER FACTS 

* Cannabis use is at least twice that of methylamphetamine

MOST POPULAR DRUG BY CAPTIAL CITY

* Most cocaine, MDMA and nicotine detected in Sydney

* Most heroin, fentanyl and ketamine detected in Melbourne

* Most methylamphetamine detected in Adelaide

* Most alcohol detected in Darwin

* Most cannabis and oxycodone detected in Hobart

* Most MDA detected in Perth

* Second-highest heroin and oxycodone use is in the ACT

MOST POPULAR DRUG BY REGION  

* Most cocaine and fentanyl detected in regional NSW

* Most MDMA and oxycodone detected in regional Queensland

* Most MDA detected in regional South Australia

* Most heroin detected in regional Victoria

* Most cannabis and methylamphetamine detected in regional Western Australia

INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS

* Australia had the sixth-highest illicit drug consumption out of 28 countries from March to May 2022, based off data collected by the Sewage Core Group Europe.

* Australia had the third-highest methylamphetamine use and sixth-highest cannabis use per capita

AAP