Surge in Australian drug use revealed in wastewater as methamphetamine dominates

More than 16.5 tonnes of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA consumed in the year ending August 2023

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More than 16.5 tonnes of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and MDMA was consumed by Australians in the year ending August 2023, a 17% increase from the last reporting period, analysis of wastewater data conducted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has found.

Eighty-five per cent of the $12.4bn spent on Australia’s top four illicit drugs between August 2022-August 2023 was spent on methamphetamine, new research reveals.

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