Australia becomes second largest consumer of methamphetamine globally, wastewater monitoring reveals
Summary
Methamphetamine use in Australia has nearly doubled over the past decade, reaching record highs according to a government report based on wastewater testing. Australia is now the second largest consumer of methamphetamine worldwide, after the United States, with increases also seen in cocaine, ketamine, and heroin use.Key Facts
- Australia’s methamphetamine use rose from 8,405 to 15,971 tonnes, the highest recorded since 2016.
- Australia is the second largest global consumer of methamphetamine, behind the US.
- Cocaine, ketamine, and heroin consumption also reached record levels nationally.
- Total use of meth, cocaine, MDMA, and heroin increased by 21% over the previous year.
- The total market value for these four drugs grew from $11.5 billion to $14.3 billion, with meth accounting for 77%.
- Regional areas had higher use of meth, cannabis, and oxycodone, while cities had more cocaine, heroin, and ketamine use.
- Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory saw the largest increases in meth use.
- The report highlights Australia as a target for organized crime supplying drugs from the Americas and southeast Asia.
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