Media release – Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), 30 June 2022
Australia dominates in global consumption of methylamphetamine
Today the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) released Report 16 of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program (the Program)—focusing on 12 licit and illicit drugs: nicotine, alcohol, methylamphetamine, amphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, MDA, oxycodone, fentanyl, heroin, cannabis and ketamine.
Covering a population of 13 million Australians, this report compares consumption data from previous reports with results obtained from regional and capital city sites in December 2021 and capital cities in February 2022.
The report presents patterns of substance use across Australia, showing differences in consumption levels between capital cities and regional centres, within and between states and territories, and nationally.
This report also includes updated 2021 data from the Sewage Core Group Europe (SCORE), which covered Europe, Asia and Oceania.
The SCORE results highlight the domination of our domestic stimulant market by methylamphetamine—Australia had the highest methylamphetamine consumption per capita compared with 24 other countries.
“Much of the harm that Australians suffer at the hands of organised crime is due to illicit drugs. Serious and organised crime groups profit from the importation, manufacture, trafficking and sale of drugs that cause harm to the community,” Michael Phelan APM, CEO of the ACIC said.
“Through wastewater analysis we gain insight into the serious and organised crime groups that supply illicit drug markets. Regular and near-real-time wastewater reporting enables the ACIC and our partners to detect and respond to increasing drug threats in a timely way and monitor the impact of responses.”
Results of note in the latest report include:
- Of the drugs measured by the Program with available dose data, alcohol and nicotine continue to be the most consumed substances in December 2021 and methylamphetamine the most consumed illicit drug.
- In December 2021, per capita capital city consumption of methylamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA all exceeded regional consumption for the first time since April 2017.
- During the reporting period, the illicit stimulant markets showed early signs of increased consumption, but not yet to levels recorded previously by the Program or prior to COVID-19.
- Between August and December 2021, consumption of methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and MDA increased in both capital city and regional sites, while consumption of heroin and cannabis decreased.
- Consumption of oxycodone and fentanyl also fluctuated, but remains low and relatively stable, with regional consumption of fentanyl in December 2021 being the lowest level recorded by the Program.
- Comparative international wastewater data confirm the strong preference in world terms by Australian illicit drug users for illicit stimulants (amphetamine, methylamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine) and the domination of our domestic stimulant market by methylamphetamine.
- Of the 26 countries reporting cocaine consumption and the 27 reporting MDMA consumption, Australia ranked 15th and 5th respectively. Of the 16 countries in which cannabis was monitored, Australia ranked 6th.
Previous wastewater reports have demonstrated the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on drug consumption across different drug markets. This report adds further detail to the picture, during a time when restrictions were being relaxed or removed in most jurisdictions. The remnants of COVID-related restrictions have not impacted drug markets uniformly, with differences continuing to be observed across drug types and between and within jurisdictions.
“Organised crime groups have redoubled their efforts to supply the major illicit drug markets as COVID-19 restrictions eased, generating significant illicit revenue, but they continue to face challenges, not least from law enforcement agencies,” Mr Phelan said.
“Our report helps address harmful drug consumption through improving knowledge about these influences so that tailored supply, demand and harm reduction efforts can be developed and implemented by decision makers on a range of drug and public health issues.”
Media release – Dr Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Health spokesperson, 30 August 2022
Rockliff Should End the Liberal War on Drugs
The latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program report shows an increase in use of fentanyl in Tasmania – a highly dangerous opioid – as well as other drugs. It’s clear we critically need more harm minimisation services, widely used elsewhere, to reduce the risk of fatal overdoses.
The Liberals’ war on drugs mentality is a manifest failure. What is required is a health-based response, informed by expert advice and evidence, not ideology.
Of course we must keep cracking down on illicit drug trafficking and manufacturing, but arresting people for personal drug use is no solution to a health crisis.
The Liberal Government continues to deny Tasmanians access to proven life-saving drug testing services, such as pill testing. Not only do these keep people safe, they help police understand what drugs are circulating in the community – and help educators inform people about how to keep safe.
In the first month of the ACT’s pill testing service, 30% of people discarded their drugs when presented with evidence of what they contained.
It’s laughable and offensive to families of victims for the Liberals’ hard right to continue insisting pill testing is ‘quality assurance’ for drug pushers. Denying people information that could save their life with this rhetoric is reprehensible.
It should be noted, however, the Rockliff Government has done some good.
Access to the overdose reversal drug, naloxone, through a free take-home program became far easier in the last few years – largely after former Health Minister, Michael Ferguson, left the portfolio.
Since 2018 various regulatory changes have occurred to improve naloxone access, and most recently in 2021, Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff approved ongoing funding for this program. According to the Illicit Drug Reporting System since these changes started in 2018, the crude rate of unintentional opioid-induced deaths has almost halved.
In the last two years, there have been 75 reported reversed opioid overdoses in Tasmania through the take-home naloxone program. These are 75 lives saved by changing to a harm minimisation approach to drugs – and we urge the Premier to continue.
The government needs to better use, and properly resource, existing diversionary programs. Further investment is also needed in alcohol and drug treatment and rehabilitation services to properly meet demand.
We urge Premier Rockliff to expand his good work on tackling drug abuse in Tasmania. The best way to do that would be to introduce pill testing services, expand alcohol and drug treatment services, and improve utilisation of drug diversion programs.
