Australia’s illicit drug use soars to 22 tonnes in a year, report reveals

Australians consumed over 22 tonnes of illicit drugs worth A$11.5 billion from August 2023 to August 2024. Photo / 123rf

The latest wastewater report has revealed that Australians consumed more than 20 tonnes of illicit drugs worth billions of dollars over one year.

The report, released by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), found 22.2 tonnes of methylamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA worth an estimated A$11.5 billion ($12.6b) were used by Australians between August 2023 to August 2024.

Authorities found cocaine use had risen 69% from the previous year, MDMA use rose 49%, meth use was up 21% and heroin use increased by 14%.

The dramatic rise in drug use was attributed to the recovery of the illicit drug market following Covid-19 restrictions as organised crime groups quickly re-established and expanded their operations to supply markets.

ACIC chief executive officer Heather Cook said serious and organised crime remained an enduring threat to Australia’s national security and safety.

“Serious and organised crime groups exploit Australia’s high demand for illicit drugs and are focused on maximising profit at the expense of the community’s security and wellbeing,” she said.

“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.

“Similarly, there has been a large increase in national cocaine consumption, also to the highest annual level recorded by our wastewater programme.”

Record high meth, MDA and ketamine consumption was detected in capital cities and record high heroin use was found in regional areas.

The average regional consumption of alcohol, nicotine, MDA, methylamphetamine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and cannabis exceeded capital city consumption.

Cook said wastewater data combined with other drugs-related information helped authorities develop a comprehensive understanding of illicit drug markets.

“This combined data strongly indicates a concerning level of market growth, extending beyond the markets for illicit stimulants,” she said.

“This challenge can only be met though concerted and co-ordinated effort under the three pillars of the National Drug Strategy: demand reduction, supply reduction, and harm reduction.”

The report found the Northern Territory consumed nicotine and alcohol at rates above the national average.

States South Australia, Western Australia, and Victoria had the highest average meth consumption.

Adelaide and Perth were the state capital cities with the highest meth use, while the highest cocaine use was recorded in Sydney.

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