Analysis flushes out disturbing growth in illicit drug abuse

Heroin and MDMA use has spiked while methylamphetamine use remains at alarmingly high levels, a new report has revealed.

Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission chief Michael Phelan. Picture: Kym Smith

Heroin and ecstasy use has spiked while methylamphetamine use — linked to some of the country’s most shocking crimes including the recent shootings in Darwin — remains at alarmingly high levels despite being the focus of attention and record seizures.

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission’s latest wastewater analysis report also shows a jump in the use of the ­opioid painkiller oxycodone in ­regional Victoria, Queensland, NSW and in the ACT.

ACIC chief executive Michael Phelan said average consumption of MDMA (ecstasy) in capital cities and the regions, and of heroin in the capitals, was at their highest levels since the program began in August 2016.

“While consumption of these drugs remains lower than other ­illicit drugs monitored by the program, these increases are of concern,” Mr Phelan said.

The report, to be released today, shows the highest average use of heroin is in Melbourne, followed by Sydney.

“Heroin use in Australia is stable or on the decline in most parts of the country over the course of the program, except for NSW and Victoria,” the report says.

South Australia and Western Australia had the highest average use of methylamphetamine — known as “ice” in its crystal form.

Both states had a large drop in use of the drug early last year “but have started to return to the historical levels”, the report says.

“Methylamphetamine consumption continues to outstrip the consumption of all other illicit drug types and pharmaceuticals,” the report says.

Ice use has been linked to crimes including this month’s Darwin shootings, in which ­accused gunman Ben Hoffmann is suspected to have been affected by the drug when he allegedly shot dead four people around the city.

Sydney remains the country’s cocaine capital, but there has been an overall decline in the use of the drug across the country.

Cannabis consumption appeared highest in Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory, however reliable dose figures for the drug were not available. Separate government survey data shows cannabis is Australia’s most widely used illicit drug.

The use of the synthetic opioid fentanyl has also been increasing, particularly in regional Australia. Opioid deaths have increased over the past decade.

The report covers just over half the Australian population, with samples taken at 50 wastewater treatment plants across the country last December.

Regional average consumption of methylamphetamine, cannabis, MDMA, MDA, oxycodone, fentanyl and nicotine was higher than in capital cities.

Cocaine, alcohol and heroin average consumption was higher in the capitals.

Australia’s high ranking for drug use among countries with comparable data is driven by methylamphetamine consumption. Police seized a record 1.3 tonnes of methylamphetamine after it was brought in to the port in Geraldton in Western Australia by boat in December 2017.

That has since been topped by a seizure last January of 1.7 tonnes of the drug in the US, bound for Australia.

Police this month announced they had found almost 1.6 tonnes of the drug in a sea cargo consignment of stereo speakers that arrived in Melbourne from Bangkok.

The ACIC says it’s involved in ongoing talks with other agencies about using the data to tailor responses in high-risk areas and to monitor existing drug strategies.

Alcohol and nicotine remain the highest consumed drugs in every state and territory, however use of both of these fell in the 12 months to December. Each year Australians spend more than $9.3 billion on illicit drugs.