Latest Wastewater Report Reveals Australia’s Illicit Drug Use Surges to Record Highs

The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has released Report 24 of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, revealing a significant increase in the consumption of four major illicit drugs – methylamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA, and heroin – across Australia.

Based on wastewater samples collected in August and October 2024, the report shows that 22.2 tonnes of these substances were consumed nationally between August 2023 and August 2024. This marks a 34% increase from the previous year, with cocaine consumption surging by 69%, MDMA by 49%, methylamphetamine by 21%, and heroin by 14%.

ACIC CEO Heather Cook highlighted the role of serious and organised crime in driving this trend, stating that criminal groups are exploiting Australia’s high demand for illicit drugs to maximise profits—at the expense of community safety and wellbeing.

“The 2.2 tonne increase in national meth consumption is concerning because 12.8 tonnes is the highest annual level recorded by the program,” said Ms Cook. “Similarly, there has been a large increase in national cocaine consumption, also to the highest annual level recorded.”

The estimated street value of these drugs is $11.5 billion, with methylamphetamine alone accounting for $8.9 billion (78%). This is the first time in the program’s history that methylamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin have simultaneously reached record-high annual consumption levels.

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Read the full ACIC report – ACIC Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program – Report 24.