The use of cocaine is on the rise, while alcohol consumption hits a record low, according to the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, released on Wednesday.
Report 21, produced by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), highlights cocaine use is up regionally, along with MDMA and Methylamphetamine.
The average consumption of alcohol decreased significantly in capital cities and regional areas between April and August 2023.
Chief Executive Officer for the ACIC Heather Cook, said that the data collected over the seven years is critical to reducing drug and alcohol use in Australia.
The government-funded project analyses wastewater for traces of usage of twelve substances in Australian communities.
“Drug consumption estimates derived from wastewater data, when used in combination with other data―such as seizure, arrest, price, health and availability data provide the most comprehensive, empirically-based insights into Australian drug markets,” she said.
“In turn, this data reveals drug market resilience, but also points of vulnerability that present opportunities
for coordinated strategies that improve the safety of the Australian community.”
The report estimates a combined weight of 2.3 tonnes of drugs consumed between 2022 and 2023.
Methylamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA increased by 17 percent, 19 percent and 33 percent, while heroin consumption decreased by seven percent.
The estimated market value of the four drugs in 2023 was $12.4 billion, up from $10 billion in 2022.
Cook said the findings provide insight on Australia’s market for illicit drugs supplied by serious and organised criminal groups (SOC).
“SOC groups are highly capable, well-resourced, resilient and increasingly transnational. Our wastewater analysis…reveals drug market resilience and points of vulnerability that present opportunities for coordinated strategies to improve community safety,” she said.
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