Wastewater analysis gives population drug use insights

A STUDY of wastewater has found Victoria has the highest average capital city consumption and second highest average regional consumption of heroin nationally, and the highest average regional consumption of MDMA and oxycodone.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission released the seventh report of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program last week.

Across the 10 sites monitored in the state in December 2018 – two capital city sites and eight regional sites – wastewater data showed Victoria also has the second highest average capital city consumption of cocaine in the country.

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission chief executive officer Michael Phelan said the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program gave valuable insight into the trends and emerging issues of drug consumption across Australia and can identify new sources of threat.

“The Australian community continues to consume illicit drugs at concerning levels and the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program is providing an important, unified and consistent guiding tool for developing holistic drug responses.

“We are only now starting to realise the full benefits of the ongoing program.”

In total, Victorians annually consumed an estimated 2.4 tonnes of methylamphetamine, 819 kilograms of cocaine, 359 kilograms of heroin and 219 kilograms of MDMA. Shadow Minister for Mental Health Emma Kealy said the state government must ensure rehabilitation services were ready and able to meet the needs of drug addicts.

“Drug abuse is destroying lives. We can’t risk turning people away who are struggling with addiction and genuinely reaching out for help. “Drug addiction isn’t just a Melbourne problem, today’s report again confirms it’s a problem across
all our state, including in regional Victoria. It’s vitally important that we have the right services, in the right places to provide genuine support to help people get their lives back on track – no matter where they live.”