The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has released the latest findings from its National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, revealing that during the year ended August 2023, methylamphetamine, cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) consumption increased tangibly.
ACIC CEO Heather Cook said our mission critical intelligence is key to providing a comprehensive view of Australia's drug market and combating the threat of serious and organised crime (SOC) groups who are engaged in illicit drug trafficking and production.
"SOC groups are highly capable, well-resourced, resilient and increasingly transnational. Our wastewater analysis is used in conjunction with seizure, arrest, price, health and availability data which reveals drug market resilience and points of vulnerability that present opportunities for coordinated strategies to improve community safety," said Ms Cook.
Report 21 reveals that more than 16.5 tonnes of methylamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and
MDMA combined was consumed between August 2022 and August 2023. This represents a 17% increase in consumption of these drugs from the previous year. When THC (cannabis) is included, more than 30 tonnes of the 5 illicit drugs was consumed nationally.
The 1.5 tonne increase in national methylamphetamine consumption is of considerable concern, due to the significant community harms caused by the drug. Of the estimated $12.4 billion spent on methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin between August 2022 and August 2023, methylamphetamine accounted for 85% of this expenditure ($10.5 billion).
Ms Cook explained that the ACIC is working with an increasing number of international bodies on wastewater analysis. ACIC's acquired knowledge and experience in this field is informing engagement with offshore agencies to partner against illicit drug use.
"Australia is a global leader in wastewater analysis and the ACIC's insights are used to inform policy and operational decision making. We remain committed to working with domestic and international intelligence and law enforcement partners to identify and disrupt serious and organised criminal networks who continue to supply illicit drugs to Australian markets," said Ms Cook.
Report 21 presents data on Australia's drug consumption for 12 substances and includes data for August (capital city and regional sites) and October 2023 (capital city sites). Sixty-two wastewater treatment plants participated nationally in August 2023, covering 57% of the Australian population.
Read the full report on the ACIC website.
On Tuesday 5 March 2024, the ACIC Chief Executive Officer Heather Cook and Professor Mark Blows, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at The University of Queensland signed a contract extending their involvement in the wastewater program for a further 4 years. This enables The University of Queensland, and through it the University of South Australia, to continue to undertake the data collection and analysis underpinning the program. We look forward to working closely with our partners to deliver informed and relevant findings on Australia's drug consumption.
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