Melbourne tops Australian cities for methylamphetamine, heroin and ketamine use

Melburnians are using more methylamphetamine, heroin and ketamine than residents of any other city in Australia.

Victoria is topping the charts in the consumption of some of the most lethal drugs.

Victoria ranked first nationally in the consumption of some of the most lethal drugs including meth and heroin, criminal intelligence data shows.

The latest wastewater testing commissioned by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) showed Victoria ranked first nationally in capital city consumption of methylamphetamine, heroin and ketamine, and second highest for cocaine consumption.

Regional Victoria ranked first nationally for ketamine consumption and second highest for heroin and oxycodone consumption.

ACIC chief executive Michael Phelan said serious and organised crime groups continued to profit from the business of drugs that caused harm to the Australian community.

“Wastewater analysis is an important measure of the demand for a range of illicit drugs and licit drugs with abuse potential and their consumption is a key indicator of the level of harm experienced by the community,” Mr Phelan said.

“We know that illicit drug activity is placing a significant burden on the Australian economy and this money could be better spent on education, healthcare and more.

Wastewater is a key indicator of the level of harm drugs are doing in a community.

“Understanding drug consumption at the population level supports effective allocation of resources and informs appropriate demand, supply and harm reduction strategies. This is critical in addressing drug use in Australia.”

Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) executive officer Sam Biondo said the spike in illicit drug use was due to a lack of drug and alcohol support services.

“People seeking support to deal with chronic pain issues have limited success in finding that support and this is a major factor,” Mr Biondo said.

Opposition mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy said: “The Liberals and Nationals will support people battling addiction, with 180 new drug and alcohol residential rehab and withdrawal beds across the state, and launch an Australian first gold-standard heroin treatment program.”

A state government spokeswoman said the Victorian government had invested more than $2bn in Alcohol and other Drug (AOD) services since 2014.

“The government has opened new AOD facilities in Corio, Traralgon and Wangaratta, and we’re building a new $36m 30-bed residential rehabilitation centre in Mildura,” she said.

“The facility will be accessible to all Victorians and will provide structured therapeutic support in a home-like environment, where people experiencing addiction can address underlying issues to overcome alcohol and other drug use.”

A Victoria Police spokesman said no area across the state was immune from the impacts of drug use and police had a zero tolerance for drug traffickers of any kind.

“There is also no doubt drug trafficking is a driver of crime,” the spokesman said.

“That’s why we’re so determined to reduce the supply of drugs in this area.

“As part of drug investigations, police are not only focused on arresting those peddling drugs within our community and seizing illicit substances, but also financially targeting anyone involved in drug trafficking, by seizing every single dollar and asset they have illegally gained.”