WA has highest methamphetamine use in Australia

WA is in the midst of a drugs crisis, with a new report showing the State has the highest use of the drug ice in the country, while the use of all illegal drugs and addictive prescription drugs is surging.

A report from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission based on tests of the country’s waste water has shown that WA has the highest average methamphetamine consumption in both Perth and in the regions of all locations tested across the country.

WA also had the second highest use of the drug MDA.

The use of nicotine, alcohol, cocaine, oxycodone, fentanyl and heroin are all on the rise in both Perth and the regions.

More than 9.6 tonnes of methamphetamine – better known by its street name ice - is estimated to be consumed in Australia each year, as well as more than four tonnes of cocaine, 1.1 tonnes of MDMA, and more than 700 kilograms of heroin.

The value of the four drugs is estimated to be $9.3 billion, all of which is traded in the black economy.

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission chief executive officer, Michael Phelan said the wastewater data helped increase the understanding of drug consumption in Australia.

“On a national level, of the drugs measured by the program with available dose data, alcohol and nicotine remain the highest-consumed substances,” he said.

“As the program continues to build long-term drug consumption data, fluctuations in consumption are evident. Understanding local drug consumption patterns assists law enforcement, policy, regulatory and health agencies develop targeted supply, demand and harm reduction strategies.”