The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has released its latest wastewater report, revealing a mixed picture of national drug consumption.
Report 23 of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program is based on data collected in April (capital city and regional sites) and June 2024 (capital city sites only). The report provides a comprehensive picture of Australia's illicit drug markets and drug consumption habits.
ACIC CEO Heather Cook said that many Australian illicit drug markets are supplied by serious and organised crime (SOC) groups, with no regard for our laws or the harm their illegal trade causes.
"Much of the harm Australians suffer at the hands of organised crime is due to illicit drugs. These harms may include negative impacts and consequences on the physical and mental health of users and their families, related acts of violence including serious assaults and murder, property crime and dangerous traffic offences," said Ms Cook.
"Australia continues to be exploited by organised crime, costing the nation up to $60 billion each year, of which $16.5 billion is the result of illicit drug activity. The heads of criminal networks are driven by greed and will go to great lengths to maximise profits and power."
Despite large seizures during the latest reporting period, organised crime networks continued to fuel Australia's demand for illicit substances. Wastewater data reveal that, despite a decrease in national cocaine consumption since December 2023, consumption remains higher than pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, signalling a possible longer-term expansion of the market. Current methylamphetamine consumption is above long-term average levels, but not quite to the levels prior to COVID-19.
In April 2024 there was record high ketamine excretion in both capital cities and regional areas, underlining an escalation in use. Conversely, wastewater data also highlighted differences between the Australian drug market and those in North America. While the latter markets are experiencing an opioid crisis, there was record low regional consumption of oxycodone and fentanyl in Australia in April 2024.
"Serious and organised crime groups are highly capable, well-resourced, resilient and increasingly transnational. They threaten our community safety, they threaten the integrity of our borders, and they threaten and undermine our financial systems, government-funded programs and our most vulnerable people. However, Australians are also relatively high per capita users of illicit drugs and are willing to pay top dollar," said Ms Cook.
Wastewater analysis is one of the most cost-effective, least intrusive methods of measuring drug use and demand at a population level. It reveals drug market resilience and points of vulnerability that present opportunities for coordinated strategies that target supply, demand and harm reduction.
The ACIC remains committed to working with a law enforcement, policy, regulatory and health agency partners, both on and offshore, to increase our understanding of illicit drug markets. Layering multiple sources of data and intelligenc enhances our ability to anticipate and respond to emerging drug threats, target SOC groups, and protect the health and interests of Australian communities.
Read the full report on the ACIC website.
ACIC MEDIA
