What the Latest Wastewater Report Tells Us About Drug Use in Australia
Report 25 of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program has recently been released and provides a clear, objective snapshot of drug use in Australia today. The findings are confronting.
Wastewater analysis measures actual consumption by detecting drugs and their metabolites in sewage -providing a direct insight into what’s really happening beneath the surface. Drug use is not declining – it’s increasing, and in some cases, reaching record levels.
A Nation at Record Highs
- Methamphetamine (ice) up 23% (highest levels ever recorded)
- Cocaine continued multi-year growth, up 17%
- Heroin increased 23%, with record peaks in capital cities
- MDMA up 20%, with recent signs of moderation
A Stimulant-Driven Market
Methamphetamine continues to dominate – both in volume and harm profile – while cocaine maintains strong upward growth. Over the past decade, methamphetamine use has surged, with the latest report confirming record consumption across both metropolitan and regional areas. This has significant implications for:
- Workplace safety,
- Fatigue and risk-taking behaviours, and
- Long-term health outcomes
Metro vs Regional
Regional areas show higher per capita use of methamphetamine, cannabis, and pharmaceutical opioids (such as oxycodone), while capital cities lead in cocaine, heroin, and ketamine use. These patterns have remained consistent over time.
Drug risk varies by geography, workforce, and industry, and so should your testing program.
Cannabis remains the most consumed drug overall. Methamphetamine and cocaine have both reached record levels, although methamphetamine consumption remains significantly higher.
MDMA consumption increased between August and December 2024 before declining into 2025, while heroin use has fluctuated. Among pharmaceutical opioids, oxycodone remained relatively stable, while fentanyl showed an increase in 2025.
Drug Use isn’t a Shrinking Problem – It’s an Evolving One
The program now covers approximately 57% of the Australian population (around 14.5 million people), making it one of the most reliable indicators of national drug use trends. Rising drug consumption doesn’t just exist in the community – it inevitably flows into the workplace potentially impacting:
- Safety-critical decision-making
- Reaction times and alertness
- Absenteeism and productivity
- Incident risk and organisational liability
Importantly, wastewater data reflects actual use – not perceived and/or self-reported behaviour – meaning risk exposure may be higher than many organisations assume.
How to Move from Awareness to Action?
- Review your drug and alcohol policy and procedure
- Implement and strengthening drug and alcohol testing programs
- Increase education and awareness initiatives for employees, managers/supervisors
- Train supervisors in for cause /reasonable suspicion testing
- Review testing ratios across metro and regional operations
While this data may feel external, the risks are very much internal.
Where Alcolizer Technology & ToxLogic Can Help?
Drug use in Australia is rising – and becoming more complex, widespread, and entrenched. For organisations, the challenge is not just understanding the data, but responding with practical, proactive strategies that protect both people and performance.
Speak to our team about a customised solution for your workplace.