Sewage waste analysis reveal Adelaide’s ice scourge has now hit record high

DRUG-BUSTERS analysing sewage waste to flush out the city’s drug use have revealed our ice scourge has now hit an alarming record high.

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DRUG-BUSTERS analysing sewage waste to flush out the city’s drug use have revealed our ice scourge has now hit an alarming record high.

Methamphetamine is the most popular drug on the black market, with its use leaping a staggering 25 per cent in the past year — and doubling since waste screening began five years ago.

Lab testing by the University of South Australia at Adelaide’s four sewage treatment stations — two at Bolivar, and at Glenelg and Christies Beach — reveals that 388 doses of ice were detected per week per 1000 people — up from 307 the previous year.

Wastewater analysis offers evidence of consumption rates — each dose measured as 30 milligrams of pure meth — but does not provide the number of users.

The surge comes as no surprise to police with latest figures showing a 24 per cent rise in drug fines and the number of people directed to “drug diversion’’ programs increasing by almost 30 per cent in 2015/16.

Ice use also peaked in December, with 502 doses detected last month compared to 379 doses in December 2015.

While cocaine use is also up, 8.1 doses were recorded last year compared to 6.7 doses in 2015 and MDMA — or ecstasy — has fallen from 2.9 to 2.3 doses detected in the same period.

The significant and growing use of ice — which can cause violent rages and major health problems — has prompted urgent responses by state and Commonwealth governments, police forces and health authorities across the nation.

Drug and Alcohol Services SA acting clinical director Dr Chris Holmwood said the relatively cheap price and availability of ice was contributing to its increasing popularity.

“Ice is reasonably addictive too,’’ he said. “People can develop depression, irritability, relationship problems and a significant number of people develop psychosis when using meth.’’ As more people used ice more also sought medical help, Dr Holmwood said.

“People are pessimistic about treatment but if they engage it they can do pretty well,’’ he said.

State Substance Abuse Minister Leesa Vlahos said the testing data, was “important in developing clinical practice guidelines to address current and emerging drug issues’’ and showed many people were “continuing to risk their health by using illicit drugs such as methamphetamine’’.

She added that “drug problems affect many people in our community, it is vital we have co-ordinated responses across government agencies to ensure effective prevention, early intervention, laws enforcement and treatment responses’’.

However, Ms Vlahos said the Federal Government needed to focus on the roll out of recommendations made in 2015 by the National Ice Taskforce report, which committed an extra $215 million nationally for treatment and research.

“New Health Minister Greg Hunt must make tackling the scourge of methamphetamine abuse a priority of his tenure,’’ Ms Vlahos said.

“While the former Minister Sussan Ley was quick to call a press conference on the Ice Taskforce, little has been done to implement its recommendations.

“I call on Mr Hunt to provide some certainty about this issue and clarify exactly when the taskforce’s recommendations will be carried out.’’

Mr Hunt’s spokesman said he was “committed to implementing the Turnbull Government’s plan to tackle the scourge of the ice in our community’’.

“The $298 million National Ice Action Strategy delivers direct and tailored services into local communities,’’ he said.

“On-the-ground services to tackle the ice epidemic began rolling out last year and are available in Adelaide and regional areas of South Australia.’’

Latest police figures show the number of illicit drug offences, including possession and sale, increased from 3178 to 3946 — or 24 per cent — in the past two financial years.

In the same period the number of people directed to “drug diversion’’ programs for rehabilitation jumped 29 per cent — from 5581 to 7196.

On Monday SA Senator Nick Xenophon pleaded for an urgent review of bail laws because some applicants were being let out despite being known to abuse ice.