Alcohol, nicotine the Territory’s favourite drugs but cocaine climbs, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission report finds

A state-by-state breakdown of Australia’s wastewater has given a snapshot of the country’s latest drug habits. See how the Territory fared.

Since October 2023, cocaine consumption in Darwin has more than doubled.

Cocaine use in Darwin is rising, while alcohol and nicotine use remains the Territory’s drugs of choice, a new report has revealed.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) released the findings of its latest illicit drug report, providing insight into the country’s drug habits.

Using urine and faeces samples from 56 wastewater treatment plants, the report represented 14.1 million Australians, or 55 per cent of the population across both cities and regions.

Both Darwin and regional NT blitzed the national averages for nicotine consumption, respectively averaging 3000 and 3500 cigarettes a day per 1000 people.

Darwin’s cocaine use continued to rise above the national average to seven doses per 1000 people.

The rise in cocaine follows the previous collection of data in which Darwin almost doubled its cocaine consumption between October 2023 and December 2023.

Darwin’s increase in cocaine levels was consistent with national levels, however, with the country now at its highest cocaine consumption rates since 2020.

The Territory’s nicotine and alcohol consumption levels remain above the national average.

Regional NT and Darwin both registered high alcohol usage of around 2000 drinks per 1000 people a day – almost double the national average.

While Darwin’s nicotine consumption dropped, regional NT’s rose to a whopping 3500 cigarettes per 1000 people.

The data also showed heroin consumption in regional NT remained steady, however Darwin’s consumption had more than doubled to around 2.5 doses per 1000 people.

Regional NT remained one of highest cannabis using jurisdictions in the country.

On a positive note for the Territory, however, ketamine, oxycodone, MDMA and methylamphetamine use had decreased overall.

ACIC chief executive Heather Cook says the report reveals “disturbing trends”. Picture Kym Smith

ACIC chief executive Heather Cook warned the data revealed “disturbing trends” and said Australia’s stimulant consumption international was particularly high.

“Australia had the second highest methylamphetamine in our domestic stimulant market (and) had the second highest methylamphetamine consumption per capita compared with 29 other countries,” she said.

“Australia also ranked 20th of 32 countries for consumption of cocaine, 15th of 33 countries for consumption of MDMA and third of 20 countries for consumption of cannabis.”

Ms Cook said authorities would be supported by wastewater analysis.

“Some law enforcement investigations are now conducted in conjunction with bespoke high intensity wastewater analysis so that the effectiveness of responses can be monitored,” she said.

“Wastewater analysis is also used increasingly as a component of drug ‘early warning’ programs.”